Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, a young Indian tennis player, won the women’s singles title at the ITF W35 tournament in Lagos, Portugal, on 11 October 2026. At just 17 years and three months old, she defeated Spain’s Celia Cervino Ruiz by 6-4, 6-2 in the final. Along with the singles trophy, Revathi also won the women’s doubles title with her Ukrainian partner, Yelyzaveta Kotliar. This double victory marks an important step in her growing professional tennis career and brings attention to India’s young tennis talent.

Maaya Rajeshwaran Wins Singles and Doubles Titles

Maaya Rajeshwaran delivered a strong performance throughout the Lagos tournament. She won the singles final in straight sets, taking the first set 6-4 and the second set 6-2. Her performance showed her ability to handle pressure and maintain control during important moments of a match.

Her success was not limited to singles. Revathi also claimed the doubles title alongside Yelyzaveta Kotliar of Ukraine. Winning both competitions at the same tournament made her achievement even more notable.

The singles victory was the first professional singles title of her career. It also helped establish her position as one of the young Indian players to watch in international women’s tennis.

A Strong Start Against the Top Seed

Revathi began the Lagos tournament through the qualifying rounds. Despite entering the competition with a world ranking of No. 1038, she went on to defeat several opponents and reach the title match.

One of her most impressive performances came in the first round of the main draw. She faced top seed Justina Mikulskyte, who was ranked world No. 246 at the time. Revathi fell behind 0-5 in the opening set but fought back to win it in a tie-break, 7-6(1). She then dominated the second set, winning it 6-1.

Coming back from such a difficult position against a higher-ranked opponent was a major moment in her tournament. She carried that momentum into the following rounds and eventually won the championship without dropping a set in the main draw.

Youngest Indian Woman to Win an ITF W35 Singles Title

At 17 years and three months, Revathi became the youngest Indian woman to win a singles title at the ITF W35 level, according to the report. She surpassed the previous mark associated with Sania Mirza, who won a comparable professional singles title at 17 years and 10 months.

The achievement is significant because professional tennis requires players to compete against experienced opponents from different countries. Young players must develop technical skills, fitness, match awareness and the ability to deal with pressure.

The ITF W35 title gives Revathi valuable experience in professional competition. Results at ITF events can also contribute towards a player’s professional ranking and help create opportunities to enter higher-level tournaments.

What Is the ITF World Tennis Tour?

The International Tennis Federation, commonly known as the ITF, organises the ITF World Tennis Tour. It provides professional competition opportunities for men and women and serves as an important part of the pathway for players developing their careers.

Women’s tournaments are divided into different categories, including W15, W35, W50, W75 and W100. The letter “W” indicates a women’s event, while the number identifies the tournament category. These competitions include singles and doubles matches.

Players compete to win matches, earn ranking points where applicable and gain experience against international opponents. Strong performances can help players progress towards higher-level professional tournaments.

For emerging players such as Revathi, ITF events offer opportunities to build rankings and develop the skills needed to compete more regularly on the international circuit.

Maaya Rajeshwaran’s Early Career

Maaya Rajeshwaran comes from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. She attracted attention in February 2025 when she reached the semi-finals of the W125 Mumbai Open at the age of 15. That performance earned her her first WTA ranking points and helped her enter the professional rankings.

She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 642 in March 2025. Although rankings can change as players compete in more tournaments, reaching that position at a young age showed her potential in professional tennis.

Revathi has also trained at recognised tennis facilities outside India. She previously trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain and later moved to the Elite Tennis Centre in Cannes, France. Training in such environments can expose young athletes to international coaching methods, competitive practice and different playing styles.

Her development reflects the work required to move from junior tennis towards the professional level. The Lagos title is an important milestone, but continued progress will depend on her future performances, training and participation in higher-level events.

The Role of the WTA and ITF in Professional Tennis

The International Tennis Federation and the Women’s Tennis Association have different roles in professional tennis. The ITF organises the World Tennis Tour and a range of international tennis competitions. The WTA operates the main women’s professional tour and publishes the official WTA rankings.

ITF tournaments provide competitive opportunities for players who are building their professional careers. The WTA Tour features higher-level events, including major tournaments and competitions that attract many of the world’s leading players.

A strong result at an ITF event can help a player gain confidence, experience and ranking points. However, progress to higher levels depends on several factors, including tournament results, ranking position and entry requirements.

Revathi’s performance in Lagos is an example of how young players can use ITF tournaments to gain experience and move forward in professional tennis.

What Maaya Rajeshwaran’s Victory Means for Indian Tennis

Revathi’s achievement adds to the growing interest in young Indian athletes competing internationally. Winning both singles and doubles titles at one tournament demonstrates her ability to compete in two different formats of the game.

Singles tennis requires a player to manage the match independently, while doubles depends on coordination, communication and teamwork with a partner. Success in both competitions can help a player develop a wider range of match skills.

Her victory may also encourage more young players in India to pursue professional tennis. However, building a long-term career requires consistent performances across tournaments, physical preparation and access to quality coaching.

For Revathi, the Lagos championship represents a promising beginning at the professional level. Her next performances will show how she builds on this achievement and progresses through the international tennis circuit.