Arts
Passion and drive behind every serve
If I had one word to describe Niluka Madurawe it would be energetic. Our conversation took place during her stay in Melbourne via various means of modern communication but nothing could contain this 17-year-old’s enthusiasm and energy for her sport.
Niluka after winning back- to- back titles in Guatamala in June 2017
Niluka was in Traralgon for the warm up G1 and in Melbourne for the Junior Australian Open Tennis Tournament in January this year. The Australian Open Junior Championships is one of the four Junior Grand Slam tournaments played as part of the International Tennis Federation’s Junior under 18 world circuit. The event has Junior Grand Slam Grade A points status and has draw sizes of 64 boys and 64 girls in the singles and 32 teams in the doubles. “It’s extremely challenging,” says Niluka, “all the top juniors in the world are here.”
Niluka is currently ranked 107 in the World Junior ITF Rankings and was in the Top 20 in the USA, placed No 1 in her section in Northern California.
Born to Sri Lankan parents, her talents may have been inherited from her mother Manisha Perera, a tennis champion in Sri Lanka in her own right prior to moving to the USA to pursue her higher studies in economics. A three-time National Champion in Sri Lanka, Manisha played for Auburn University for four years prior to settling down to her PhD studies.
Niluka is the younger of Manisha’s and Raminda Madurawe’s two children- her brother Sugath is currently studying Computer Science at the University of California, San Diego.
“Understandably, my mother was my first coach,” grins Manisha reminiscing about her days as a seven-year-old taking up tennis for the first time. Did your father play? “Not even close!” And now? “My mother worked with me for a very long time, teaching me the tricks of the trade and perfecting my style. She comes to all my tournaments but never watches the actual match!” laughs Niluka. When did she last watch you? “Nearly ten years ago!”
Self-motivated and competitive, Niluka dabbled in quite a few sports including competitive swimming before deciding to pursue tennis as a 12-year-old. “There was no way to manage two competitive sports at the same time so I had to pick,” she smiles.
What keeps her motivated? “I just genuinely love the sport,” grins Niluka. “I enjoy competing and I focus on a goal and having that one thing to work towards keeps me motivated.” She got really serious about the sport when she was around 13, “the goal was always to get better and better and eventually that meant taking it to the next level.” Her most challenging match? “It’s difficult to say, I’ve had heaps – it really depends on the day – challenging matches happen often in tennis.”
What does she do to get into the zone before the game? “I like to listen to music.” And her ideal partner or opponent? “It has to be one of the Williams sisters – I’ve looked up to them since I started playing and it would be an honour to play either against or alongside them.”
A family photo taken on holiday
With her daily schedule of three hours of tennis and one hour of fitness taking place six days a week it seems miraculous that Niluka will be starting classes at Stanford University in September this year. “With my schedule requiring me to travel for tournaments all through the year the “normal” school routine did not work for me. So I enrolled with online school. It’s the same as regular school but it’s conducted completely online. I have lessons, school work and actual teachers so I never feel like I miss out on that whole secondary school experience.”
But what of the actual social activities associated with high school? “I do sometimes feel like I missed out on high school moments, but I have been able to travel the world and have so many amazing experiences because of the flexibility I have with school so I don’t really regret it. I must say that I am happier here at the Australian Open than I would’ve been at a High School Prom!”
Moving to Stanford will be a different experience for Niluka who has undertaken to play tennis on their women’s tennis team. Besides tennis, as she is eager to pursue a career in law she will be studying subjects that take her down that path. “I think it will be tough balancing both, but with a lot of discipline and hard work I know it will be do-able and fun!”
With such a focused subject, one has to ask – where does she see herself in ten years? “That’s a long time away,” laughs Niluka. “I like to think I’ll be working in a law firm but still playing tennis during my free time.” So she won’t go professional? “Being a professional is very tough, so I can’t say for certain if I would pursue it. But if the opportunity were to arise I might!” Her family are her role models and her main goal is to grow up to be as happy and successful as they are, she says.
When she finds a little time to spare Niluka loves to read and considers herself quite the “foodie”. “I love all types of food, but Japanese, Korean and Chinese have to be my all time favourites.”
One final question, completely for the sake of my own curiosity – does she like playing on clay courts? “I am a hard court player through and through so am not the biggest fan of clay courts,” laughs Niluka, “But I am always up for a challenge!” With that passion and drive to see her through Niluka Madurawe is bound to make her mark. Matchpoint!
