For the first time in the nation’s history, a young, fierce Maldivian Women’s tennis team has captured the hearts of the nation and put the Maldives firmly on the regional tennis map. Competing in the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) Group III Asia/Oceania Zone B, our national team achieved a spectacular, record-breaking run, culminating in a historic appearance in the Group B final.
The tournament took place from November 10th to 15th, 2025, hosted in Phan Thiet, Vietnam, marking a momentous occasion for the squad.
The Historic Squad: Guided by Experience
This young team, brimming with talent and potential, was led by experienced hands:
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Captain: Aminath Irufa Mahir
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Coach: Mr. Farrokh Etminan
The core players who delivered this record-setting campaign were:
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Naba Nishan
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Aaraa Aasaal Azim
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Aishath Karin Saizan
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Nayara Usama Ali
The Perfect Storm: Beating the Host Nation
The BJKC Group III Asia/Oceania tournament is a rigorous test of regional talent. This Maldivian squad delivered a performance of dominant consistency, securing crucial, consecutive victories to earn their spot in the final.
Most impressively, the team secured a flawless victory against the hosts themselves!
| Match Tie | Opponent | Final Score | Key Individual Results |
| Day 1 | Bahrain | Maldives won 3-0 | Naba Nishan (6-0, 6-0), Aaraa Aasaal Azim (6-0, 6-0), Saizan/Usama Ali (6-0, 6-0) |
| Day 2 | Vietnam (Host Nation) | Maldives won 3-0 | A commanding victory against the Vietnamese national team, eliminating the hosts from the competition. |
| Semi-Final | Jordan | Maldives won 3-0 | Naba Nishan (6-4, 6-4), Aaraa Aasaal Azim (6-1, 6-2), Saizan/Usama Ali (6-1, 6-3) |
Their decisive 3-0 victory over Jordan in the semi-finals was a masterclass in clean execution, securing their historic spot in the championship final.
The Grand Final: So Close to Group II
The stakes were immense heading into the Group B Final. A victory would have secured promotion to the BJKC Group II Asia/Oceania—a massive leap forward for the sport in the Maldives.
In the final tie against Laos, the young team fought valiantly, pushing the contest to a thrilling 1-2 loss. The narrow defeat reflects the intense, high-level competition they maintained throughout the tie, coming within a single match of historic promotion.
A Legacy of Achievement
This team’s journey is a powerful message to every young athlete across the atolls. By reaching the Group B final, the Maldivian Women’s team made history, showing that with the guidance of Coach Farrokh Etminan and the leadership of Captain Irufa Mahir, the Maldives can compete and achieve on the regional stage.
This is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a brilliant new chapter for Maldivian tennis. They have made the entire nation immensely proud.
