Maria Padilla of Colombia plays her tennis match at the Chengdu Universiade.
A constant companion in her life since she was five, Colombia's tennis athlete Maria Padilla hopes to win all her games at the Chengdu Universiade.
CHENGDU, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Inexperienced but energetic, Maria Padilla embodies the ups and downs of a tenacious young athlete at the Chengdu Universiade tennis competition.
Her journey began with a nerve-wracking start, with 13 double faults in the first set of her first round women's singles match. However, as the match progressed, she found her rhythm and smashed her opponent 6-0 in the final set, advancing to the next round.
Reflecting on the magical game, the 20-year-old remained elated.
"I don't know why. I was so nervous, maybe it was because of the first game," she said. "After I calmed down later, I played better. I am so proud of myself."
Tennis has been a constant companion in Padilla's life since she was five years old.
"I had fun when I played tennis for the first time. Then when I came home from school and I went to train, it was what I liked the most," said Padilla.
With a cheerful personality and innate charm, Padilla's love for tennis also captivated her entire family, sparking a tennis craze within her household. Her parents, who had never played tennis before, now wield rackets with enthusiasm. For them, supporting Padilla's journey to the Chengdu Universiade became a top priority.
Photo from Maria Padilla's social media.
"My family cares about my situation here, whether I am used to eating and competitions are going well," shared Padilla. "And everything is going very smoothly for me here."
Despite the distance from her homeland, Chengdu has made Padilla feel at home due to its similar climate and strong sporting atmosphere. She also appreciated experiencing rich Chinese cultures and relished the famous hot pot, despite its spiciness.
Padilla has also been focused on her studies, a challenging balance faced by many college athletes. Majoring in economics at the Andes University in Colombia, she manages to excel academically while training five times a week.
"I know it is tough to take on both, but I will try my best," said Colombian.
As the event progressed, she is preparing to face even stronger opponents. While she is accustomed to participating in singles, this time she will also partake in the mixed doubles.
"I want to win all the games, and I believe I can do it," she said. ■
