Ankita Raina isn’t just India’s top-ranked woman in tennis – she’s a historic first. The Gujarat native is the only player from her country to step onto the main stages of all Grand Slams, showcasing Indian flair from Down Under to Flushing Meadows.
Rising through the ranks via ITF circuits, Raina burst onto the scene with a string of titles in Asia and Europe. Her pinnacle moment arrived in 2017 at the Nanjing Open, where she lifted the WTA 125 trophy amid roaring crowds. This win propelled her into the top 200 and secured those coveted Slam entries.
Adapting to every surface – grass, clay, hard – Raina has logged impressive qualifying runs and main-draw matches. Highlights include reaching the second round of WTA events and partnering for doubles success, peaking at No. 152 globally. At the national level, she’s a Davis Cup/BJK Cup stalwart.
Her achievements extend to Commonwealth Games silvers and multiple Asian medals. Now, as a coach and player, Raina runs programs to uplift underprivileged talent. At 31, with a surgically repaired shoulder, she’s plotting a resurgence targeting Paris Olympics mixed doubles.
Raina’s tenacity redefines what’s possible for Indian women in tennis, inspiring a generation to swing for the stars.