TANITH: How did your early experiences in tennis shape how you approach challenges and personal growth today?

NITYA: I come from a community where gender inequality is everywhere — in conversations, in opportunities, even in the way people look at you. But I was raised by a grandmother and a mother who refused to let me believe that a girl’s dreams should be smaller than a boy’s. I still remember my mom walking me through a busy road full of cars to take me to the tennis academy, believing I could go beyond the box the world had built for women. That moment became a symbol for me — no matter how crowded or risky the road, if you keep walking, you’ll reach your court.

I have been through the worst and still made it out, and that’s why I say tennis didn’t just shape me — it gave me life. It gave me the fire to believe that women can do absolutely anything they set their minds to, and when they decide to, they are unstoppable. It taught me to think bigger, to speak with conviction, and to stand tall even when the world tries to shrink you. And tennis didn’t just make me stronger physically — it transformed my personality. The greatest gift it gave me was adaptability. In tennis, nothing stays the same — one moment you’re in control, the next the opponent changes their game, the wind shifts, the ball bounces differently. You can’t stop and complain; you have to accept what’s in front of you and adjust instantly. That ability to accept and adapt has become the foundation of who I am. It’s what allows me to walk into any room, face any challenge, and still find my way forward. No matter how unpredictable the game or life gets, I carry the same mindset — that every situation can be turned into an advantage if you’re willing to see it as an opportunity instead of an obstacle.

TANITH: Stepping away from tennis due to health issues must have been difficult. What helped you stay resilient and find a new path?

NITYA: Hope. The very reason why I’m always working towards a better future. Because no matter what I lose, I refuse to lose my belief that something brighter is coming. I’ve learned that faith isn’t just about trusting—it’s about holding on when everything tells you to let go. Every time life has knocked me down, I’ve chosen to rise—not because it was easy, but because my heart knew I could. I believe that even the hardest moments are shaping me for something bigger. It’s not just about moving forward—it’s about growing forward. I’ve turned my pain into purpose, my challenges into chapters of strength. I know storms don’t last forever, but they teach you how to dance in the rain. My mindset is my greatest asset—it adapts, it accepts, it transforms. When you have hope, you stop seeing endings—you start seeing beginnings. Faith has been my compass, even when the road was invisible. I carry the belief that the best days are always ahead, never behind. Every setback I’ve faced has been a setup for a comeback. I don’t wait for light… I choose to be the light. And that’s why I’ll always keep going, no matter what.

TANITH: How do you take the skills and discipline you’ve developed and apply them to mentoring young people?

NITYA: To know your passion — to truly understand what you were made for — is one of the greatest feelings in the world. That’s why I pour every ounce of discipline, every lesson, every drop of energy I’ve gathered from my journey into creating space for young people to discover that for themselves — whether it’s through my book or my initiatives. Because empowering isn’t about telling someone who to be — it’s about giving them the room, the stage, the safety, and the encouragement to explore, to try, to fail, and to rise. When we truly know ourselves, we stop just existing… and we start creating. And there’s nothing like that moment when you see the spark in someone’s eyes — the moment they realize, this is what I was born to do. Because in that instant, you know what you’ve given them isn’t just support — it’s a spark that will ripple out into the world long after today.

TANITH: Through That Teen, you support girls and young women in discovering their potential. What drives your passion for helping others thrive?

NITYA: I love to empower people — deeply, endlessly, unapologetically — because that’s the only way forward to a brighter, braver, more beautiful future. When you lift someone up, you’re not just helping them in that moment — you’re creating a ripple effect that can inspire an entire generation. I truly believe that when you hand someone the tools to believe in themselves, you’ve given them a lifetime of victories.

Through That Teen, we’ve already brought two amazing projects to life. First, our Ambassadorship Program, where we amplified young voices from around the world and gave them the platform to speak their truth. And then, That Teen: The Movie — a docu-drama created for teens, by teens, to show the power of being someone in your own story. It’s about cherishing the journey of young people who dare to do something, to stand out, to be more. For me, it’s simple — teens don’t just need opportunities, they need the world to watch them shine. And I will keep making sure they do.

TANITH: What personal qualities have helped you turn obstacles into opportunities for change?

NITYA: I believe we can do anything — and when I say anything, I mean anything. My aunt always told me, “The only difference between the people you look up to and you… is that they made the work possible.” That’s been in my head forever — a constant reminder that the dreams we admire in others aren’t out of reach, they’re just waiting for us to step up. For me, it’s that mix of never letting go of hope, keeping the fire alive no matter what, and refusing to believe there isn’t a way through — even when every door feels locked and the world is screaming “no.” Every challenge I’ve faced has taught me that limits are just fear’s way of drawing lines… and courage? Courage is the eraser. That’s what I carry into everything I do — knowing that every so-called obstacle is really just the beginning of a whole new stage for change. Because in the end, we just have to dare to step out — to take that first bold move — and as my grandma says, that’s when the road appears.

TANITH: How do you hope your journey inspires young people to grow, to lead, and to create positive impact in their own communities?

NITYA: Young people are capable of anything — and I will never stop saying that. My journey is proof that age is not a limit, it’s an advantage. It means you have more years ahead to make change, more time to grow into yourself, and more chances to shape the world in ways only you can. Sometimes I think — imagine the woman I’ll be at 40 compared to the girl I am at 14… and how every choice, every risk, every moment right now is building her. I want every young person to know this: you do not have to wait for permission. You do not have to wait for the “right” time. The time is now. Your voice is powerful enough to move people. Your ideas are strong enough to shift the world. You are enough, exactly as you are, to begin. And here’s what I’ve learned: opportunities are rarely handed to you — sometimes you have to create them. Impact doesn’t start with grand gestures — it starts with one small, brave step. And leadership isn’t about being the loudest — it’s about being the one who refuses to give up. If even one young person hears my story and dares to start today — not tomorrow, not someday — then everything I’ve ever done will have been worth it. Because change doesn’t wait. It begins the moment you decide you’re ready… and the moment you dare to believe that you can. ∎