2019 Post-Tribune Girls Tennis Player of the Year
Freshman phenom went 25-2 for Munster, advancing to the state semifinals in singles
Those were the traits that led to a bevy of accomplishments for Munster freshman Sanjana Tallamraju, the 2019 Post-Tribune Girls Tennis Player of the Year.
“I feel really happy with this year,” said Tallamraju, who finished with a 25-2 record and was a state semifinalist in singles. “And I know I accomplished a lot as a freshman, even though I knew there were a lot of eyes on me.”
Throughout the spring, Tallamraju kept her eyes on the prize, earning first team all-state, all-district and all-conference recognition. She regularly played against the highest level of competition.
“I think she played 90 percent of the first team all-state players and 40-50 percent of the second team all-state players,” Munster coach Patrick Spohr said. “She played six first-team all-state players and five second-team all-state players.”
Even though 11 of her 25 wins came against all-staters, Tallamraju did not wilt against a daunting schedule. She maintained her composure.
What was the key?
“I think it’s my confidence when I get on the court in terms of my ability to focus on myself rather than focusing on the person across the net,” she said. “I don’t like to focus on how well the other person plays or be thinking if she’s a better player than me.
“I like to focus on my ability to stay calm and play up to my potential.”
Tallamraju has another major strength that benefits her game.
“It’s my aggression,” she said. “A lot of players are aggressive, so it’s about being consistently aggressive. I don’t want to be the first person to back off in a match.”
Tim Troiano, Tallamraju’s personal coach and an assistant pro at Score Tennis & Fitness in Countryside, Ill., is impressed with the character and on-court demeanor of Sanjana and older sister Shalini, a Toledo recruit.
“Sanjana’s a great person before being a great player,” Troiano said. “She’s very respectful, unselfish, appreciative and grateful and has always been a leader. She’s very athletic, has a huge serve and is a lefty, which helps her.”
Troiano also loves Sanjana’s passion for the game.
“With her skills, she’s an all-court player,” he said. “She has a great backhand and loves to volley. There’s not a lot she doesn’t love doing.
“She’s very hardworking and competitive, and the character and accountability she and Shalini have drives the process, which drives the result.”
Spohr said practices are never mundane for the Tallamraju sisters.
“I would say the most important thing that makes Sanjana as good as she is — and she’s one of the best in the state — is her work ethic,” Spohr said. “Every day she plays tennis, she tries to be better than she was the day before. She goes out of her way traveling all over to play some of the best competition, not only in the state but in the country.”
Tallamraju tries to make sure her academic achievements are just as impressive. She takes AP classes and has a 3.85 GPA. She has her sights set on a career in the medical field.
For now, Tallamraju wants to get even better on the court.
“She will never be comfortable with her skill level, no matter how high it gets, because she will always expect more from herself,” Spohr said. “Saying that, she doesn’t put more pressure on herself. She just wants her playing level to reach the ultimate height.”
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