NEW DELHI, NOV 6: J Sai Jayalakshmy has quit the Dharam Hinduja-AITA Tennis Academy (DHAITA), a month ahead of the completion of her one-year contract.Sai, who has left for hometown Chennai, will be leaving for a couple of WTA tournaments in the Philippines on Friday alongwith newly crowned national hard court champion Rushmi Chakravarthi and former national champion Arati Ponappa. Meanwhile, she is planning to join the Krishnan Tennis Centre run by Ramesh and Ramanathan Krishnan in Chennai.

Sai, who is studying for her masters in English Literature, turned in her most memorable performance when she swept three gold medals at the 1997 National Games in Bangalore. Till a year ago, she and Rushmi were the best doubles pair in the country until they stopped playing together.

Despite her lean frame, Sai is one of the strongest, and by far the most graceful stroke makers on the Indian circuit. But, after the high at the National Games, she lost consistently to the Hyderabad youngster Uzma Khan -- in the semis of the Shriram Open senior nationals, and again in the quarters of the Mumbai Hardcourt championship. In the same month, she lost easily to ex-DHAITA colleague Jahnavi Parekh in the finals of the Chandigarh Open.

A few months back, Jahnavi left to train on her own in Bombay but the ``official'' version is that her contract has expired. When contacted in Chennai, Sai confirmed that she will not be returning to DHAITA. Though she agreed that DHAITA gave her the opportunity to play abroad and ample finances, she said, ``I played just five WTA events when I was there. I think I can do more on my own. Also Jahnavi's departure meant I did not have a good practice partner and it also got a little lonely.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.