Teenager Neyara Weerawansa is one of Sri Lanka’s up and coming female tennis players who represented the British School in Colombo and completed her higher studies at the American National College.
Neyara won the SSC Open tennis women’s doubles and mixed doubles 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.
The 19-year old will make no secret of the fact that she is a spirited athlete who will leave no stone unturned to reach her goals and targets.
And if any budding player needs inspiration, look no further than Neyara.
“The best thing that someone could say to me is that I am their role model”, the champion player told the Sunday Observer in an interview.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: Describe yourself in one word?
Bubbly
Q: Any words or phrases you overuse?
Aiyoo (exclaim)
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
My Athleticism
Q: What would you consider to be the most important thing in your life?
Family
Q: Are you fashionable?
Yes
Q: What motivates you in your life?
My goals
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 listen to many types of music; however, I lean towards R&B and pop
Q: What’s the best thing you would like to hear from someone?
The best thing that someone could say to me is that I am their role model
Q. What made you choose sports?
My natural athletic ability combined with the happiness I feel while doing sport
Q. Thus far what was your most unforgettable sporting incident?
My first international tournament championship in Spain (Tennis Monty Tour - Badalona) and the first time I represented my country (2017 in the World Juniors)
Q. What’s your best school sporting achievement?
Receiving Sports Colours Awards for tennis and swimming and Merit Awards for athletics and football
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
I don’t believe in disappointments.
I believe that through every mistake I have made no matter how disappointing it may be I have learnt something out of the experience
Q: Most important lesson life has taught you?
To never give up and that the right people will always be with you throughout your journey