When Emma Raducanu pulled off her amazing US Open tennis victory as a qualifier in 2021 and without dropping a set it couldn’t have been envisaged how the ripples would have carried all the way to Livingston, West Lothian.
Waking up the morning after watching that final victory at Flushing Meadow on television Sandeep Pasupulati, an IT worker, thought ‘I wonder if my daughter, Hasiika, would like to try tennis?’
Wheels were set in motion and today Hasiika, 8, a pupil at St John Ogilvy Primary School, is Scotland’s No 1 player at under-9’s and No 4 at under-10’s. She is also ranked No 15 in GB as an under-9.
What’s more during a competition at the LTA’s national training centre in Roehampton Hasiika actually had a meeting with Raducanu who, at the time, was practising for Wimbledon.
They say you shouldn’t meet your heroes but according to Sandeep, who admits to being more of a cricket enthusiast, the encounter with has given Hasiika fresh impetus.
“She has really taken encouragement from meeting Emma. It was a big moment for her as she tries to go as far as she can.”
The problem is that being competitive in any age-group means plenty of travelling.
“Firstly is important to stress that keeping calm and playing with a smile is always what Hasiika has been encouraged to do.
“Enjoyment is more important than winning.
“But Hasiika also wants to be the best she can be which means not sitting at home in Scotland thinking about being No 1 here. Rather, like others before, she has to reach out and go around the country seeking out better opposition.
“This is proving expensive and anyone who can assist with sponsorship should contact me 07918 137260″ says Sandeep.
Hasiika’s coach at Hatton Tennis Club, Michael Robson, sees considerable potential, saying: “I have been coaching Hasiika since she was aged six and is a great talent.
“Racket companies are reluctant to sponsor players so young but travelling is essential to test herself. Hopefully she can attract the backing she needs.”
