Aspiring Indian tennis pro, Shounak Rafael Fernandes, and his father reached out to Mission Elite very interested to start a class with the company's Tennis University program. It was clear from the beginning that the Mumbai-born, 10-year-old was committed to his craft by showing an outgoing eagerness to learn and a huge passion for the game of tennis. Despite his young age, Fernandes was already very knowledgeable as to the dedication needed to reach every level on the path to become an ATP-level player. The Mission Elite staff were very impressed.
Upon getting to know Shounak further, we learned he experienced a personal tragedy and was using tennis as an outlet to help him face his adversity. After learning this, the Mission Elite team wanted to reach out in some way by assisting in one of Shounak's greatest passions by kickstarting his future success on the tennis court. Mission Elite CEO, Raheel Manji, got together with his staff who all came to the quick conclusion to give Fernandes a full scholarship to Mission Elite Tennis University. Raheel then set up a call with Shounak to present him with the good news.
The eager and unexpecting Shounak was more than excited to jump on the call with his dad at his side. Raheel started off the conversation by complimenting the young star on his fight and Fernandes thanked him. Raheel continued with the news of the full scholarship to Mission Elite Tennis University and before the CEO finished his sentence, Shounak's face lit up with an ear-to-ear smile exclaiming, "Wow! That's unbelievably awesome!"
On behalf of everyone at Mission Elite, we would like to thank Shounak Rafael Fernandes and his father for sharing their inspiring story. We couldn't be any more excited to see where the future takes this bright, young star with the dedication, courage, and resiliency he continues to display through even the most difficult of times.
