Asian Games 2018 | I’m a much better player now than I was four years ago, says Prarthana Thombare

SportsCafe Desk
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Indian ace Prarthana Thombare has claimed that she has improved since her last bronze medal triumph along with partner Sania Mirza at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. Thombare recently won the women’s doubles win in the Manchester ITF $1lakh event with partner - Luksika Kumkum of Thailand.

Thombare might just be 24, but she has already made her mark in the Indian tennis scene with some gritty performances over the past few years. The young girl’s story to stardom seemed almost surreal as she has emerged as one of the brightest talents in tennis, especially in the women’s doubles category. Thombare partnered India’s most cherished tennis star, Sania Mirza, during the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea where the duo ended their campaign with a bronze medal. However, Prarthana reckoned that she has gotten better ever since that win and hoped to put in a good performance in this year’s Asian Games at Jakarta.

“I have so much to learn from her and Imran uncle (Sania’s father Imran Mirza). I do believe that I am much a better player now than say I was four years ago. I am pretty pleased with the results in Europe and UK recently. I am better prepared this time around for Asian Games.

“Frankly, I am always excited to play in Asian Games and the Olympics (she partnered Sania in Rio in women’s doubles). It is a completely different experience out there,” the World No. 149 told The Hindu in an interview.

Thombare has won 3 singles and 20 doubles titles on the ITF tour in her career so far. Her most recent triumph came in the women’s doubles category as she partnered Luksika Kumkum of Thailand to win the Manchester ITF $1lakh event. Thombare added that she was keen to break into the top 100 list as soon as possible.

“Yes, I am very keen to improve upon my bronze medal in the Asiad and look at it as part of the preparations to break into the top 100 and qualify for the Australian Open.

Since, I have no points to lose in Jakarta, I should enjoy the competition more this time around. I played against most of the top Asian players and so I am not really concerned about the draw even though the Chinese and the Japanese players pose a big challenge,” concluded Prarthana.

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