DUBAI Two girls from the UAE have earned tennis scholarships in the US allowing them to pursue their education while playing professional tennis.
Sanjana Sudhir, a resident of Al Ruwais, and Dubai-based Madeleine Gauthier will begin their new life in the US this fall. “I feel blessed to have received this scholarship. I’m so glad everything worked out excellently well. To earn this scholarship we must achieve a particular level of tennis at the same time, make sure their school grades are on top of it. This task isn’t very easy. I’ve been lucky that my parents always had my back,” said Indian born Sanjana, who will join the University at Buffalo – State University of New York in August.
Paid off
For American-born Madeleine it will be back to her home base as she prepares to join Saint Leo University in Florida. “Receiving a tennis scholarship has given me a lot of pride and an amazing feeling of accomplishment in knowing that all my hard work and dedication have paid off,” said the 18-year-old student of the American School of Dubai.
After having done exceedingly well in the junior circuit in the UAE, the duo feel the opportunity will help them enhance their game to reach the professional level. “Playing college tennis is an incredible asset since we have inter-university NCAA matches every other weekend against high quality players. When I graduate, I will have a degree and at the same time I’ll be fit to go and compete in the pro-circuit and make a mark there,” Sanjana said, whose current ITF junior ranking is 320.
“I would like to get good grades in school and earn some points in ITF pro circuit women’s by this year end and get a ranking,” she added.
Acknowledging the same, Madeleine said: “I feel it will help me with goal setting and challenges that come my way not only on court but off the tennis court as well. The tennis team at Saint Leo is ranked Top 5 under Division 2 and being exposed to top players will help me improve and prepare me for achieving my goal of playing at the professional level.”
Madeleine, who moved to Dubai in 2013, added: “I’ve had the opportunity to play ITFs in many countries and it has been an awesome experience. The challenge has been balancing playing tournaments outside of the UAE and attending school at the American School of Dubai. I fortunately had the full support of my school in helping me achieve my dream.”
Both Sanjana and Madeleine were products of the PSS Tennis Academy in the UAE run by Sigi Meeuws. “I was with PSS for more than two years. I’m right now with Walid Jallali at NSS Tennis Academy. Sigi has been great and has helped me a lot. All my coaches have made me the person I am today,” said Sanjana.
Madeleine said: “I wouldn’t have been where I am today without Sigi and PSS tennis academy coaches.
“Also, I couldn’t have achieved my goal without the support of my family,” added Madeleine, whose dad Charles Gauthier is a former Division 1 college tennis player.
