Tired of discrimination, Malhotra wants to play tennis for another country

... but Anastasia Malhotra could play tennis for another country if she continues to face discrimination from the Japanese

Tired of discrimination, Malhotra wants to play tennis for another country

...u00a0but Anastasia Malhotra could play tennis for another country if she continues to face discrimination from the Japanese

Her grandfather was an Indian, who moved to Britain in his 20s. Her grandmother was Greek. Her father, born British, married a Japanese before settling in Tokyo.

Welcome to the world of Anastasia Malhotra, a Japanese tennis player, who is in the city to participate in the ITF $10,000 meet at Shivaji Park Gymkhana.

Anastasia Malhotra at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana courts yesterday.

Rising graph

Ever since she moved back to Japan from Britain five years ago, Anastasia's tennis graph has been on the rise.
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The promising youngster, who ended 2005 as 1023rd on the international women's tennis ranking list, climbed up to 577 by the end of 2008.

In this year's first half, she has moved a further 128 places up to be currently at 449.

Yet, the 19-year-old is not too happy playing in Japan. "That's because the Japanese tennis federation is so unwelcoming.

Even though I have a Japanese passport, they treat me like an outsider," said Anastasia, who is on her third trip to India but first to the Maximum City.

She is shocked by the Japanese tennis administrators' treatment.

"They want me to change my surname to a Japanese one. This is unacceptable. I can't change my identity just to be eligible to play for Japan.

If someone of Japanese origin plays in England, they never ask him/her to change the surname from Kata to Smith."

Anastasia, who is accompanied by her father-cum-coach Roger, realises that if the problem persists, she will have to part ways with Japan.

"If the situation arises, I'd have two options Britain or India. Though I've spent some of my childhood in England, I would prefer to represent India than England.
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Obviously, there's a ranking advantage playing for India as I'd be No 3 here based on current rankings.

"India is such a welcoming country. Anywhere you go, you see people smiling. I love being here and I'd like to stay."

Eligibility problem

Roger, who has come to India for the first time, also supports her decision.

"I guess there have been some issues with eligibility to play for India. But I hope the Indian authorities will help her get all the necessary documentation if need be," he said.

With the All India Tennis Association (AITA) recently barring players of Indian origin without an Indian passport from representing India, it remains to be seen whether AITA reacts positively if the Malhotras approach them with their problem.

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