https://i.sstatic.net/Py1hu.jpg
The content - Test text direction is positioned along the curve starting from the initial point specified in the path equation indicated by the M(move) command.
To alter the starting point of the text placement, you must switch the positions of the beginning and end of the curve.
Original Configuration:
d=" M 400 0 A 200 197 0 1 1 400 -7"
New Configuration:
d=" M 0 0 A 200 200 0 0 0 400 0"
<tspan dy="-5" adjusts the distance of the text from the curve
<svg viewBox="0 0 500 500">
<path fill="transparent" stroke="black" id="curve" d=" M 0 0 A 200 200 0 0 0 400 0" />
<a href='https://google.com'>
<text x="6" >
<textPath xlink:href="#curve">
<tspan dy="-5">Test text direction </tspan>
</textPath>
</text>
</a>
</svg>
Adjusting the position of the text relative to the start of the curve - startOffset="40%"
<svg viewBox="0 0 500 500">
<path fill="transparent" stroke="black" id="curve" d=" M 0 0 A 200 200 0 0 0 400 0" />
<a href='https://google.com'>
<text x="6" >
<textPath xlink:href="#curve" startOffset="40%">
<tspan dy="-5">Test text direction </tspan>
</textPath>
</text>
</a>
</svg>
Update
Is there a more precise method to center the text on the curve rather than relying on 40% guesswork?
Add startOffset="50%" text-anchor="middle"
<svg viewBox="0 0 500 500">
<path fill="transparent" stroke="black" id="curve" d=" M 0 0 A 200 200 0 0 0 400 0" />
<a href='https://google.com'>
<text x="6" >
<textPath xlink:href="#curve" startOffset="50%" text-anchor="middle" >
<tspan dy="-5">Test text direction </tspan>
</textPath>
</text>
</a>
</svg>