Making the most of Raya

Swinging time: Daania, seen in action during a local competition, is glad to be home this time.

PETALING JAYA: Festive cheer often takes a back seat when dreams are on the line.

Young tennis talent Daania Daniella Abdul Hazli is beginning to grasp the sacrifices the sport demands, especially during Hari Raya.

Having seen her brother and national player Imran Daniel spend celebrations away from home, the 15-year-old knows her time will come.

Until then, she’s making every family moment count.

“I’ve just got to appreciate the moment now. I never know when the next time I’ll be home for celebrations,” said Daania.

“I’m grateful I’ve always been home for Hari Raya, but with competitions, that’s not always guaranteed.

“My brother has been in college for a few years now, and that’s part of why he’s not around. Even before that, he was competing during Hari Raya, so it was tough for him to be home.”

Imran is currently playing collegiate tennis at San Diego State University.

Daania enjoyed a breakthrough in 2025, winning her maiden ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors (Under-18) singles title at the J30 in Surabaya before claiming her first doubles crown at the J30 in Jakarta with Indonesian partner Shinar Sunggoro last October.

She went on to compete on a wildcard at the Memorial Cup 30th Anniversary Championship in Cambodia, and clinched her third title of the year.

Daania also earned a call-up for the national team for the Thailand SEA Games last December, returning with a bronze medal from the women’s team event, while Imran bagged a bronze in the men’s team.

That experience, coupled with a strong start to the year, where Daania swept both the women’s Open singles and doubles titles at the opening leg of the National Tennis Circuit in Kuala Lumpur in January, has set the tone for what lies ahead.

“This year is going to be even busier than last year. My goal is to break into the top 100 in the junior rankings, so I’ll be travelling a lot,” said the world No. 535 Daania.

Homeschooled, Daania has already adapted her routine to balance training and studies.

“It depends on my training schedule. If I train in the morning, then I’ll do my schoolwork at night. I usually prefer morning sessions so I have more time later in the day to study,” she said.

For now, though, Daania is looking forward to her yearly Hari Raya tradition of visiting her grandparents in Seremban.

Born to former national player and coach Abdul Hazli Zainuddin, both Daania and Imran have been following in their father’s footsteps - with him also serving as her coach.

“We go back to Negri Sembilan for Raya. My dad is from there, so we spend time visiting family and going to open houses,” she said.

Daania added that having her father by her side has made her journey even more meaningful.

“My dad is a very big inspiration because of how hard he works to support our tournament travels.

“My brother too, he gives me both inspiration and a bit of friendly rivalry,” she said.

The past year had already offered Daania a glimpse of the road ahead - one filled with travel, sacrifice and ambition.

But for now, she is enjoying the simple joy of being at home, knowing those moments may soon be few and far between.