We had a great chat with Riya Bhatia who was fresh of a doubles victory at the Mysore W15. Riya spoke to us about playing conditions in Mysore, her early tennis playing days and much more. Her positive attitude and love for the game is infectious.
Q How was it playing in Mysore, which is at a high altitude. How different was it to other places?
Bhatia – It is a bit tougher because I was playing in Delhi before, which has no altitude.
But I reached mysore two days before the tournament and then I was practicing there. Luckily, it was suiting my game pretty good. Definitely in the serves, I had to add a little bit more brush and some things here and there
But I would say that I adjusted pretty well. The balls were amazing. So that helped a lot. I’ve played in Bogota and Mexico too and these countries have an high altitude so it’s not new for me.
Q So for people who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe your game? And what are your strengths and what are the areas you’re looking to improve in?
Bhatia – I would definitely say I’m a baseline aggressive kind of player. My strengths, I would say are my forehands and volleys. Recently we have been working a lot on my back hand slices.
So that’s one thing I would want to work more on.
Q Can you tell us where you grew up? Which city is your hometown? Where did you learn your tennis? Which academy? Can you talk about that?
Bhatia – I was born in Rohtak, Haryana, but I grew up in Delhi. My parents had already shifted over there. I Started tennis near my house only in Paschim vihar
sports complex, but recently I’ve been training in the NTC in Delhi.
Q What made you pick up tennis? How do you fall in love with the game? And when did you realize you were good at it and you want to take it up professionally?
Bhatia – My parents have always been into sports, like in table tennis and stuff. So initially I started swimming, playing table tennis. Definitely I was a part of a club, so I saw tennis. It was kind of interesting. Just started playing and got more interested. When I realized I was good, I think I was always pretty decent as I was always a sport -ish person. I don’t know how I took that as a professional career, but it just gradually happened.
Q How is life on tour? For months you are away from home. What is the best part of being on tour? What is the worst part of being on tour?
Bhatia – The best part definitely for me is playing tennis and competing in those matches. I enjoy the pressure moments and when you win that’s the best feeling. Winning is actually the best part. The worst part is you are mostly lonely and due to lack of sponsors you can’t always travel with coaches and your family. So being alone is the worst part of being on tour.