Oman's top tennis player, Fatma al Nabhani, has stormed into the top 400 in the world rankings, following a string of singles title victories in various overseas tournaments over the past few months.
Currently placed at No 472 in the ITF singles rankings, Fatma's position is expected to rise to No 396 in the coming days once the International Tennis Federation (ITF) updates its list.
The 24 year old Omani tennis player's progress to the top 400 bracket in the singles circuit comes five years after she had last recorded her career-best ITF ranking.
Fatma had posted a ranking of No 362 in October, 2010 as a 19 year old, but saw her position plummet over the next few years, partly due to a spate of injury-related issues, before she finally began recovering steadily over the past year or so.
“I am extremely happy to make it to the 300s,” Fatma told Muscat Daily on Saturday. “It's been quite a good jump for me. I remember sometime back I was in the 500s - I guess I was at No 569. From there, I have risen and I have had a good time winning a few tournaments.”
Fatma's latest victory was the singles title in the US$10,000 Phoenix Live tournament in Hyderabad, India, where she wrapped up her fourth ITF crown of the year.
Over the past few months, Fatma won singles titles at a US$10,000 event in Manama, Bahrain, a US$10,000 event in Heraklion, Greece and then a US$10,000 meet in Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia.
She also won the doubles titles in Manama, Heraklion and Port El Kantaoui, besides winning another US$10,000 doubles crown in Bangkok, Thailand.
Her title-winning streak this year began in Manama in April and she followed it up with success in Heraklion in May.
With the fourth singles crown, 2015 became the most successful year for Fatma since she won her maiden ITF title in Fujairah, UAE in March 2010.
The Muscat-based player is currently taking two weeks' break in her hometown before sets off for her next engagements on the ITF calendar.
“I have been playing at a stretch for a while now. So, I have taken a fortnight's break. After the break is over, I will go to the US and Canada for a couple of tournaments. Hopefully, I should continue with this form, win more titles and push my ranking up further,” she said.
