Indian Juniors Shine at Wimbledon Qualifiers: Hitesh and Maaya Enter Final Round
The hallowed lawns of Wimbledon welcomed the next generation of tennis hopefuls this week, as the Junior Championships qualifiers got underway. Among them, young Indians made their mark, with 17-year-old Hitesh Chauhan and 16-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi registering impressive wins to reach the final qualifying round. While two of their compatriots Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar and Arnav Vijay Paparkar suffered early exits, the performances of Hitesh and Maaya have given Indian tennis fans much to cheer about.
Hitesh Chauhan Marches On
Seventeenth seed Hitesh Chauhan, one of India’s promising junior prospects, was in complete control as he defeated 18-year-old American Lachlan Gaskell, ranked Junior World No. 97, in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. On paper, this was a tight matchup, with Gaskell boasting more international exposure and age on his side. But Hitesh showed no nerves on grass, playing smart, high-percentage tennis and executing a balanced game plan with precision.
From the start, Hitesh was sharp on serve and aggressive on return, constantly putting pressure on the American. After clinching a close first set 6-4, he rode the momentum into the second, where he broke early and never looked back. His court coverage and tactical maturity belied his age, and his controlled aggression from the baseline made the difference.
This win takes Hitesh into the final qualifying round, where he will face Junior World No. 56, Gabriele Crivellaro of Italy, in a decisive clash for a spot in the Wimbledon main draw. Crivellaro, a seeded player with a strong clay court pedigree, will be a step up in challenge, but Hitesh’s form and composure so far suggest he is more than ready for the test.
Maaya’s Grit Shines Through in Epic Comeback
If Hitesh’s win was clinical, Maaya Rajeshwaran’s was dramatic. Seeded No. 1 in the girls’ singles qualifying draw, Maaya, ranked No. 57 in the world juniors, came through a nerve-wracking battle against China’s Shiyu Ye in a match that showcased her resilience and fighting spirit.
Facing an 18-year-old opponent ranked WTA #1427 and Junior #127, Maaya started slow and dropped the first set 4-6. Her troubles deepened in the second set as she trailed 1-4, seemingly headed for an early exit. But what followed was a spectacular turnaround. Digging deep, Maaya clawed her way back into the match, leveling at 4-4 and eventually forcing a second-set tiebreak, which she edged 7-6 to force a decider.
The third set was played in the 10-point match tiebreak format and turned into a nail-biting thriller. With both players exchanging mini-breaks, Maaya stayed composed and trusted her game at key moments. She finally closed out the match 4-6, 7-6, 10-8, after nearly two hours of intense battle.
The victory not only showed her skill and shot-making abilities but more importantly, highlighted her mental strength and ability to rise under pressure qualities that set apart the great from the good in elite tennis. Her comeback win now sets up a clash against Spain’s Eugenia Zozaya Menendez, the No.12 seed and a powerful all-court player. A win will put Maaya in the main draw of Wimbledon Juniors, a feat that would mark a significant step forward in her already promising career.
Early Exits for Rethin and Arnav
Not all results went India’s way on the opening day of Wimbledon qualifiers. Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar, who faced a tough draw against second seed Linus Lagerbohm of Finland, bowed out in straight sets 3-6, 3-6. The Finnish player, ranked among the top juniors in the world, proved too strong for Rethin, who nonetheless gained valuable experience from competing at one of tennis’s most prestigious venues.
It was a similar story for Arnav Vijay Paparkar, the 15th seed in the boys’ draw, who faced Turkey’s Haydar Cem Gokpinar. Arnav struggled to find rhythm and lost 1-6, 2-6, ending his campaign in the first round.
Despite the early exits, both players will take positives from the exposure and are likely to bounce back stronger in upcoming tournaments.
With Hitesh and Maaya now just one win away from the Wimbledon main draw, the focus shifts to their final qualifying matches. A successful showing would not only boost their individual rankings and confidence but also underline the steady progress Indian juniors are making on the global stage.
India’s recent surge in junior tennis has been encouraging, with more players competing internationally and receiving structured support. For Maaya, who is backed by Infosys and trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy, and Hitesh, whose steady rise has come through national circuit performances, Wimbledon represents the opportunity to step into the limelight.
Whether it’s Hitesh’s calm dominance or Maaya’s tenacious comeback, the opening round of the 2025 Wimbledon Junior Qualifiers has already delivered moments to remember for Indian fans. And with both just one win away from joining the main draw at the All England Club, the journey is far from over.
Follow @IndiaSportsHub for daily updates from Wimbledon Juniors 2025.
