Navya's Snigdha is a tennis buff!!!

Viewers know her as the negative lead Rama Bajpai, married to Anant’s (Shaheer Sheikh) elder brother Mohan (Rohit Bhardwaj) in the hit Star Plus show Navya. And in the past they have seen her in Chhajje Chhajje Kaa Pyaar (Sony Entertainment) and Jahan Pe Ho Basera (Star Plus). But what is little known is the fact that she has acted in an Indo-Uzbek film Muhabbatnoma-Legend of Love and in a Bengali film Blind Lane. And what is even less known about Snigdha Pandey is that she is a keen tennis player and quite knowledgeable about the game. Snigdha was a junior level player (under 14 and under 16) at the National Tennis Academy in Kolkatta. “But I gave up playing professionally in favour of studies in class 10,” she says. “I was a good player but not the best. I did not win any tournaments but would often end up on the podium,” she adds. Snigdha loves the sport for it is all about grit and determination. “It is not over till it final point is won . Many a times, players come back a set down (in a best of three match). So in the end only the best man/woman wins.” Snigdha’s plus point during her playing days was her strong serve. “I would serve many aces. My back hand also was quite good. But I have lost my stamina over the years as now I only play occasionally,” she explains.“ Plus in our acting profession we hardly get any time to hit the courts.“ She prefers clay and hard court surface over grass, as she finds the latter too slow. She was very excited to meet up with Indian tennis hero Leander Paes at the inauguration of the lawn tennis court at the Goregaon Sports Complex in Mumbai earlier this week. Says she: “He truly deserves the Padmsharee for he has brought India on the international tennis scene winning the nation many a medal. Sania Mirza is also a good tennis player. I also admire the Williams sisters (Venus and Serena). There was a time when women’s tennis was more about skill and rallies. But these two US players came on court and decimated all opposition just on sheer strength. However now other stars like Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki etc have also emerged.” She finds the entire controversy regarding woman tennis players’ attire unnecessary. “It is a personal call. I may not be comfortable in short skirts but others might be. The bottom line is one has to be comfortable so your best ability comes out on court.“ When asked as to which tennis player would she date, her response was immediate: “Leander , had he not been married. And Roger Federer is very cute.“ Ah, Snigdha, by making that selection, you have just served another ace!! Match point to you!!!