Aandrita Deb has long aced the question many students who pass Class X tend to double-fault on: arts, science or commerce?
This admission season, 16-year-old Aandrita's choice of core course is tennis at the Saddlebrook academy in Florida, US, as part of the Harry Hopman Program.
Salt Lake girl Aandrita, who has been playing tennis long enough for her to realise that "this is what I enjoy doing the most in life", will be off to the US soon to train to become a professional.
Coach Akhtar Ali sees in his ward potential to become one of the best India has produced if she can gain accuracy and better physical fitness. "In Florida, she will be training under the best coaches while continuing her formal education," Ali said, watching Aandrita let a forehand rip across the South Club clay.
"This girl hits the ball as hard as Sania Mirza but she's not as accurate. She also needs rigorous physical training. The good thing is, she has age on her side," the veteran coach said.
Ali is the one who recommended the girl from Mahadevi Birla to the Hopman academy, just like he had his famous wards Leander Paes and son Zeeshan Ali.
Many other students of Ali have moved to other colleges in the US with a strong tennis culture.
Aandrita, who is as happy about her favourite player Maria Sharapova winning at Roland Garros as she is about the opportunities awaiting her in the US, lists playing Fed Cup for India among her immediate goals.
"I want to represent India in Fed Cup. Playing in a Grand Slam tournament is obviously every tennis player's dream, and I also wish to reach there someday," said Aandrita, who enjoys watching Hollywood movies and listening to music when not on court.
She has won age-group tournaments across the country already and now it is time to reach the next level, says her coach.
