Two years after she announced herself on the global stage by lifting her maiden WTA 125 trophy in Mumbai, Darja Semenistaja is back at the 2026 L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series—this time not as a surprise package, but as one of the tournament’s leading contenders.
The Latvian, now ranked World No. 99, returns to the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) with greater experience, a sharper game, and a more balanced mindset after breaking into the world’s top 100. With first seed Lulu Sun withdrawing, Semenistaja has been elevated to the top of the draw, placing her firmly in the spotlight once again.
She opened her 2026 campaign with a composed straight-sets victory over Italy’s Diletta Cherubini, settling smoothly into the conditions that once delivered the biggest title of her young career.
A title that changed everything
Semenistaja’s triumph at the 2024 L&T Mumbai Open remains a turning point in her professional journey. Then just 21, she stunned the field to claim her first WTA 125 singles title, defeating Australian star Storm Hunter in the final no small feat considering Hunter’s reputation as one of the most accomplished doubles players on tour.
“That title was incredibly special,” Semenistaja recalls. “It was my first WTA 125 trophy and it pushed my ranking up straight away. Suddenly I had access to bigger tournaments like Indian Wells. It opened doors that I had only dreamed of.”
But with opportunity came pressure.
“When you move up quickly, expectations also rise,” she admits. “Back then, I was still very young and didn’t always know how to handle it. But that experience was necessary. It taught me what professional tennis at a higher level really demands.” Now, two years on, she has fulfilled one of her biggest goals breaking into the Top 100 a milestone she believes validates the struggles and sacrifices of the last two seasons.
A more aggressive, fearless player
What stands out most about Semenistaja’s return to Mumbai is how different she feels as a competitor. “The biggest change is that I’m much more aggressive now,” she explains. “Both in how I play and how I think. Before, I was too focused on rankings on not losing points or not dropping. Now, I try to focus on improving my game and competing freely.”
That mental shift has been just as important as any technical improvement.
“Instead of playing with fear, I’m playing with intent,” she adds. “I’m going for my shots, trusting my instincts. That’s how you really grow as a player.” Her recent run into the main draw of the Australian Open earlier this year further underlined her progress. Competing at a Grand Slam is a different test altogether, and Semenistaja believes it has made her better equipped for pressure moments.
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“Every big tournament teaches you something new about yourself, about your tennis, about handling expectations,” she says. “That experience is something I bring into Mumbai this time.”
Mumbai’s growing stature
Beyond her personal journey, Semenistaja also sees the L&T Mumbai Open itself as a tournament that has grown alongside her career. “I think the tournament has improved every year,” she says. “Compared to 2024, everything is better now the practice courts, the hotel, the transport, the organisation. MSLTA has done a wonderful job this time.”
The L&T Mumbai Open has steadily established itself as one of the most important WTA 125 events in Asia, offering players a professional, well-run environment that mirrors the standards of higher-tier tournaments. “For players like me, events like this are extremely important,” Semenistaja adds. “They give you strong competition, ranking points, and the feeling that you’re part of a big tour.”
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Back in 2024, Semenistaja arrived as a relatively unknown name and played with nothing to lose. In 2026, the situation is very different. As the top seed, she is now the player everyone wants to beat. “That changes the dynamic,” she acknowledges. “But I don’t see it as pressure. It’s just another part of the journey. If I want to keep improving, I have to embrace being a target.”
Her approach remains clear: stay grounded, play aggressively, and focus on execution rather than expectations. “I’m not here thinking about defending a title,” she says. “I’m here to play good tennis, match by match. If I do that, the results will take care of themselves.”
As the 2026 L&T Mumbai Open unfolds, Darja Semenistaja is no longer just the champion of the past—she is a player very much of the present, carrying the confidence of experience and the hunger of someone still chasing her next breakthrough.
