Aslesha Lissanevitch, 14, is one among the four players to represent the country at Guangzhou. [break]A 10th grader at British School, who wants to be a doctor and tennis player in future, Aslesha is focused in her Asiad preparation at present.
"I´ll try my best in Asian Games. I´ll give my hundred percent," vowed Lissanevitch, probably the youngest Nepali athlete to go Guangzhou. Lissanevitch and other selected players have been undergoing daily training sessions now.
Aslesha qualified for the Asiad through a round robin tournament of four women tennis players.
She started playing tennis at the age of eight as her father of Russian origin Alexander Boris Lissanevitch and mother of Nepali origin Kabita Regmi Lissanevitch immensely motivated her. "Mom and dad used to play tennis at the Club International. They initially forced me. I enjoyed the game later," said Aslesha.
"I enjoy tennis now. I love to watch tennis. I love to play tennis," she added.
Aslesha has won six gold medals in the annual Man Jaykar Tennis Tournament in different age groups -- three in U-12 category, two each in U-14 and U-16 categories. She was the runner-up to the then Nepali No 1 Preeti Rijal in the 5th National Games and National Championship organized by All Nepal Lawn Tennis Association last year.
Aslesha had also participated in the International Tennis Federation Tournaments in Bangladesh in 2007 and in Malaysia in 2008.
However, Aslesha is not sure about her tennis career. "There are only 50 percent chances to be a full-time athlete in Nepal. However, I wish to be both a doctor and a tennis player in future," said Aslesha who is also a fan of Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova.
Besides tennis, Lissanevitch loves listening hip-hop and rap music.
Not only Aslesha but her younger brother Ivannoe, 12, also loves tennis. Ivannoe started playing with the tennis racquet since he is six. Ivannoe also won U-12 and U-14 title during the LA/JTI Tennis Tournament recently.
"My family has been supporting my education and tennis career. They are behind my success and they are my inspiration," she said.
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