Teenager Saajida Razick is one of Sri Lanka’s up-and-coming female tennis players who represented Bishop’s College and the Dineshkanthan Tennis School and is unlike any other with her Goldilocks-like lifestyle.
She might like being called the girl of a thousand curls, very particular about a gifted head of hair to go with her flamboyance in tennis.
Saajida won the recent SSC Open tennis women’s singles Championship at this year’s competition which was sponsored by First Capital. In the same tournament’s under-18 final she finished runners up in the women’s singles competition and was the runner-up in the women’s doubles.
This year’s presentation of the “SSC Spirit of Tennis Award” to Saajida in tribute to the late Dinesh Schaffter was a highlight.
“I always liked being in competitive situations whether in sports or drama and from there I took a great liking towards tennis and continued with it,” she told the Sunday Observer in an interview.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: Can you describe yourself in one word?
Ambivert
Q: Any words or phrases you overuse?
Did you bring me food?
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
My thick curls have a personality of their own
Q: What is the most important thing in your life?
My Family
Q: Are you fashionable?
No, unless I force my sisters into helping me
Q: What motivates you in your life?
My passion for tennis along with my love for reading and music
Q: If you could choose any career right now, what would it be?
Professional tennis player
Q: What forms of music do you listen to?
I have a versatile taste in music but mainly listen to pop and rap
Q: What’s the best thing you would like to hear from someone?
That they are comfortable being around me
Q. What made you choose sports?
I always liked being in competitive situations whether in sports or drama and from there I took a great liking towards tennis and continued with it
Q. Thus far what was your most unforgettable sporting incident?
Playing a really long three-set match and making it to the Sri Lanka team for the first time
Q. What’s your best school sporting achievement?
Receiving the Bishop’s Gold for representing the country
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
I’ve faced a few disappointments in life but I try not to dwell on them and accept it and move on
Q: Most important lesson life has taught you?
To use every moment in life as a learning experience, the good and the bad