You won’t promptly notice her drops. They are neither flashy nor feisty. Nor would her weaponry strike you to delirium. The referee’s calls, judicious or not, hardly ever inflames her. She neither exults nor repulses. It’s as though she is emotionless. But this uncooked impassivity on court has reaped a healthy booty for Anaka Alankamony in her nascent career.
The WISPA Indian Challenger triumph was a further reinforcement of Anaka’s surging potential. Thereby, the 15-year-old became the youngest-ever WISPA winner, eclipsing the reigning World Number one Nicol David’s record, and only the second Indian after Joshna Chinappa to notch a WISPA. En route to her final, Anaka dispatched her senior compatriots Anwesha Reddy and Surbhi Misra in the semifinal and final respectively after she had ousted second seeded Pushppa Devi Of Malaysia.
While she agreed the title win at her age was unprecedented, she quickly put her victory into perspective. “It feels good to win the title in your very first WISPA event. But my career has only started, and I have a long way to go to be considered as a good player in the international circuit. I have to keep working and ought to improve all aspects of my game, especially my stamina, fitness and the pace. Even during my off-season, I practice two-three hours a day. Mentally, also I have to be tough,” said Anaka, who aspires to break into the top 50 in three years.
It was mental grit that ensured her of the Asian Junior (U-15) title last year. Down 1-6 in the first and second games against Hong Kong’s Ho Ka Po, she retorted superbly to win both games without conceding another point, before taking the final game. “Despite trailing I was confident of my chances, and played some perfect shots. I slowed the game’s tempo and reduced the unforced errors. I went on to play steadily and won the title.
“It was one of the biggest achievements in my life, and hopefully I can replicate it in the senior circuit one day,” recollected the junior Scottish Open winner.
Tennis was Anaka’s first love. But the baking Chennai sun urged her to pursue squash at the age of nine. Training at the Indian Squash Academy, she seamlessly fell into the groove. Shortly after, she won the Milo All-Star Malaysian Junior Open Squash in 2005, which she defended in 2006 and 2007.
Anaka also became the first Indian to win the Penang Junior Open twice. Thus her decision to switch over to squash bore fruit, and one has to say almost instantaneously. “I feel everything was for the good. I felt all at home with squash the moment I stroked my first serve, and nothing brings me more joy than playing squash. I have never felt the training gruelling or rigorous because I enjoy it thoroughly. Everyone in the Academy, especially Cyrus sir, Major sir and Ramachandran sir have been helpful to me,” beamed Anaka, who enjoys swimming in whatever little leisure time she squeezes in.
But success only impels her for more success. “I want to perform well in the junior nationals. Also, I am looking forward to playing in more WISPA tournaments and facing top players of the world. Winning the U-19 British Open is also on my priority list,” she said.
An exceptionally good student, she loves solving tricky mathematical twisters and aspires to be a chartered accountant. “As soon as the training gets over, I rush home, take a breather by spending some time alone and start doing my homework. In fact, playing squash helps me focus more on my studies,” she says.
The WISPA title was only a gentle stride into the ultra-competitive circuit of squash. Tougher challenges await Anaka. And she is primed for it.
- sandipgopal@gmail.com