India, April 14 -- A sense of familiarity enveloped the atmosphere. Ankita Raina found herself in Dubai in 2019 when the Indian women's tennis team first clinched a playoff position in the Billie Jean King Cup.

On Saturday, following a week-long contest against five other teams at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, India secured a playoff spot for the second time. As has been the case over the past decade, Raina played a crucial role in yet another significant achievement for the Indian team.

"I recalled the mindset I had on the court in Dubai, and we decided to adopt an aggressive approach," she stated shortly after she and Prarthana Thombare won the pivotal doubles match against South Korea, ensuring their playoff qualification.

This presented a valuable opportunity for India to advance in the women's premier team competition. Competing on home soil, they faced a favorable situation as Asian powerhouses China and Japan were absent, participating instead in higher tiers. As Captain Vishal Uppal noted, the team boasted impressive depth in singles for the first tim

With powerful players like Shrivalli Bhamidipati, Sahaja Yamalapalli, and Vaidehi Chaudhari on the roster, Raina's role shifted. Although she is the top singles player in India, she was assigned to doubles throughout the tournament. Together with Thombare, they experienced a mix of successes and setbacks, losing three out of five matches. Nevertheless, they rose to the occasion in the decisive matches against Thailand and Korea, where their doubles performance was crucial.

Ultimately, the accomplishment in Pune was a collective effort, and as Raina proudly held her medal on Friday, she added yet another achievement to her illustrious career.

Raina hails from a middle-class background, aspiring to establish herself in a costly sport.

"There were individuals who directly told my mother that I should not pursue this sport due to our financial situation," Raina shared with HT in Pune. "That is not their concern. Reflecting on my beginnings and my family's circumstances, I feel fortunate to have achieved so much."

At 32, Raina has been India's leading singles player for the majority of the past decade. She holds the record for the most appearances (50 ties) and the highest number of victories (21 wins) for India in singles at the Billie Jean King Cup, previously known as the Fed Cup. Throughout her career, she has participated in the singles qualifiers of all Grand Slam tournaments and has reached the main draw in doubles for each of them. Additionally, she earned a singles bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

While her game has certain limitations, lacking a definitive strength on either side, her mental fortitude and physical fitness have been her greatest assets, enabling her to achieve a career-high ranking of 160 in March 2020.

"It is natural to feel that you could have accomplished more; there is always a sense of dissatisfaction and a desire for greater achievements," she remarked. "However, it could not have unfolded any differently. I often reflect on matches where I believe I could have performed better, but I trust that you receive the results of your efforts."

Now a veteran in the sport, Raina recognizes the potential of the younger generation of Indian players, yet she has already navigated the challenges they face.

"I understand what it takes to succeed—dedication and resilience," she stated. "When playing under pressure and striving to achieve multiple goals, it is easy to lose your authenticity. Nevertheless, you must have faith in yourself and adhere to your style of play, as that is what has brought you to your current position."

She carries with her the lessons learned from her early struggles. Financial constraints have necessitated that she travel alone for international competitions since the age of 12.

She recalled, "My first trip was to Sri Lanka for a team event, and I felt quite anxious. When I first encountered food prepared with coconut oil, I mistakenly thought it was hair oil, as that was my only reference point."

Since that initial experience, she has made significant progress, perhaps exceeding expectations given her starting resources. However, she remains unsatisfied.

"My mother believes I still have the potential to reach the world No. 1 ranking," she remarked. "Her unwavering belief in me motivates me to consistently strive towards that goal."

By now, the medal from Pune would have been securely stored, and Raina would have redirected her focus to her ongoing endeavors on the tour. In the past week, she may not have been the most prominent figure in Indian women's tennis— that distinction belongs to Shrivalli, who triumphed in all five of her singles matches.

Nevertheless, Raina's graceful movement on the court and the intensity she displayed in her strokes ensure that she remains a formidable competitor.