Love for tennis keeps Rushmi going

Past 30, Rushmi Chakravarthi has outlasted all her contemporaries and some girls who played after her. That gives her great pride.
Playing in the current Mother's Recipe US$10,000 ITF Women's Futures Tennis Tournament, organised and hosted by Shivaji Park Gymkhana she is seeded No 4 and as she has a good draw could well enter the final against top seed Isha Lakhani.
So what's the motivation for Rushmi to keep going? "I love the game. I feel fit and that's my motivation," said Chennai's Rushmi after making light of her opponent on the first two days of the main draw.
Her contemporaries Arti Ponappa and Nirupama have long quit the game. Even others who followed her like Radhika Tulpule and Shruti Dhawan.
Asked about the wins she prizes most she says, "Every win has been a prized one." She has six national titles and three runner-up places. At international level she has 11 singles and 31 doubles wins. Her longest partner has been Sai Jayalakshmy
The Indian Oil player says winning was necessary in her time. "There were few tournaments and the least in India. My first circuit tournaments were abroad. Today there is an event every week. Players feel if I lose today there's always a next time. That breeds complacency. I have steered clear of such a feeling."
Naturally she has had her share of injuries the worst being a shoulder problem which thankfully did not require surgery. " I have a fitness trainer, I keep myself fit and hope to carry on."
Asked if a Federation Cup spot beckoned, Rushmi said,"Let us see." Asked if the Commonwealth Games was another motivating factor, she just smiled. Obviously she wants to take things as they come. That could be the secret of her decade-long longevity in the sport which could be the envy of most on the circuit. And let's not forget she has twice beaten Sania Mirza.