The 24-year-old Indian Tennis prodigy, Jennifer Luikham speaks on unlocking the secrets to peak performance. The young Tangkhul Naga Tennis star from Manipur state is currently ranked 1292 in Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Singles and 1599 in International Tennis Federation (ITF) as of 15th April, 2024. Jennifer, clinched gold for Manipur in the Single Individuals at the recently concluded 3rd Edition North East Game, 2023 which was held at Nagaland.
Jennifer Luikham in a conversation with Ukhrul Times recalls how every games require mental engagement. She takes the conversation back to her performance at Tunisia against an Italian opponent in a Woman Singles Individuals, where she was outmatched by the unranked opponent at the second set of the game by 6/7. The urge to win the game compelled her to shift her game strategy, had a time of soliloquy.
“I said to myself, Jenny you can’t, you have to give it all! At that moment, I started playing like there was no tomorrow. I was swinging my hands and legs faster than ever, my legs was on fire. I had a very long rally, I was intensely hitting on against her. I eventually won the match, reclaimed my title which I almost lost it to an unranked opponent”, said the the star player.
The further mentioned, “Its all in the head. To have to think positively, if you want to push yourself to the next level”.
Jennifer reminisces about a pivotal match in Tunisia that significantly influenced her career trajectory. She describes the match as a turning point that continues to shape her performance in subsequent games. “it’s all in the mind,” holds particular significance for Jennifer. She emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude as a key determinant of a strong game, drawing from her own experiences on the court. Her optimistic attitude reminds her that it’s all in the head, empowering her to overcome challenges with resilience and determination.
She recounted another experience from her first Senior Women’s Singles Category match in Turkey, which took place in June-July 2022. She described her initial frustration when the first and second sets ended with scores of 6/2. Despite typically avoiding toilet breaks as they could be distracting, she decided to take one during this match. She mentioned, “Yet, I decided to take a break and rushed to the restroom. Looking at myself in the mirror, I took a deep breath and told myself, ‘You’re going to give it a 100 percent.'”
Following the break, she returned to the game with renewed confidence, feeling unbeatable throughout the tournament. Despite performing exceptionally well and reaching the final, she was unable to lift the tournament trophy due to injuries. Nonetheless, she considered the experience invaluable.
The young star emphasises the importance of her identity and her community, which played a crucial role in her career. The support and encouragement she received keep motivating her and pushing her to achieve greater heights. She proudly states, “It’s my dream for them to live through me. I should perform well for the community, and I am committed to staying dedicated.”
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