The PWR DUPR India Masters has been a great success at New Delhi's Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) Stadium, a PWR 700 event, which saw international and home-grown stars taking the centre stage to lift the pickleball scene in the country from October 24-27. Pickleball is presently one of the fastest growing sports in the world and the racquet sport has created a huge wave in India, which is compelling players from different racquet-sport background to shift their base to the exciting game.
The PWR DUPR India Masters not only gave mileage to the top Indian players but it was a moment to savour for the Indian youngsters, who got a chance not only to showcase their talent but brush shoulders with international names as well.
Out of the many youngsters, who have showcased their talent in the prestigious tournament, 20-year-old Punji Rawal and 14-year-old Zahaan Udai Singh pushed themselves beyond their limit to prove their mettle against tough competitors.
Pickleball Now caught up with both the youngsters as they reflected on their big win, future plans and the PWR DUPR India Masters, which provided a huge platform to these budding picklers.
Punji Rawal, 20-year-old pickleball player from Gujarat’s Surat, started playing the sport just 3 months ago in July and with little experience, she not only clinched a gold in Intermediate Women’s Singles category but also won a silver in the Intermediate Women’s Doubles as well, paring up with another Gujarat girl Punarva Shah.
'The experience was amazing. I felt this kind of experience for the first time. This pickleball tournament is one of the best tournaments I've seen at the DLTA Stadium, even though I have played lawn tennis before as well at this very venue. The atmosphere and the international players were very good. Playing with them is also the best experience I had', Rawal said.
Punji is a lawn tennis player but she quickly transitioned into the pickleball game and defeated Amrita Mukherjee in the Women's Singles Final, who was once ranked No. 2 Indian tennis player at the junior level and also represented the nation at the junior Fed Cup. She also maintained WTA rank in both singles and doubles for a number of years.
''Winning against Amrita Mukherjee was one of my big achievements. Yeah, and her gameplay was also very good. I just had in my mind that I want to win against her'', she reflected on the huge feat.
She also happens to be a huge fan of Armaan Bhatia, the triple crown winner, who took the PWR DUPR India Masters by storm by clinching the Pro Men's Singles, Men's Doubles and the Mixed Doubles title. Bhatia is the best Indian, when it comes to Singles and Doubles and presently one of the best in Asia. Punji couldn't get a chance to interact with Armaan, but she is happy with the handshake she had.
''I had a handshake, and I was happy with that (laughs). Yes, Armaan Bhatia for sure, he's a legend, no doubt about it. I have watched all of his matches at the stadium during the tournament''.
Rawal's strength is her forehand but she also got to learn a lot from USA's Sofia Sewing, who won the Pro Women's Singles title.
''Yes, I got a chance to play with many of the pro players. With Sofia Sewing, who won the Pro Women's Singles title, I played a lot with her and it was a very good experience. She showed to use power and the technique to take a shot.''
The Gujarat girl has made her intentions clear, that she plans to move to pickleball and eyes to compete at the top level competition.
'I'm planning to shift to pickleball after seeing the players and the energy in the PWR DUPR India Masters. I just feel like I should practice more, and I'll get what I'm aiming for', she concluded.
14-year-old Zahaan Udai-Singh, who started playing pickleball back in December 2021 as a 10-11-year-old kid, competed against the big boys in the PWR DUPR India Masters, finishing with the bronze medal in the Intermediate Singles Category and won the DUPR 16 Team event.
A cricket fan, it was the precise sound of the ball coming off the paddle that made Zahaan connect with pickleball.
''I used to play badminton with my friends for fun. And then one day, we just heard these sounds coming off the paddle connecting and all of that, and it seemed really interesting. And I kind of got addicted ever since. I play cricket as my second sport'', he told.
''This tournament was one of the best tournaments I've been till now. Because of the way that it was set up and, like, how unique it was compared to the other tournaments. It's something like, people haven't seen till now because they put in so much effort. I even liked the centre court, which is spectacular. Overall, it was amazing'', an awestruck Zahaan said.
The teenager, who is a Delhi boy, currently studies at the Millfield School, which is in Somerset, UK. Before the start of the tournament, he worked very hard and pushed his way to semis of the Intermediate Men's Singles, where he lost to eventual champion Diwakar Agarwal in the semis. This is a tournament, where he was competing with boys of at least 19 years of age.
''I practiced every day, like pretty hard. Until the quarter finals, I was dominating against my opponent. Then in my quarter finals, I had a really tough match, but I managed to win. But in the semis, I played pretty well, but it just wasn't good enough to take me through''.
Zaahan happens to be the student of Pro player, Aditya Ruhela, who also competed in the same tournament and is considered one of the best picklers in India.
''When I started playing pickleball, my coach was Aditya Ruhela. He has always helped me and supported me in all my tournaments I played''.
Speaking of Armaan Bhatia, he had the opportunity to talk to the triple crown winner after the main event and he hopes to play against the star pickler one day.
''I mean, nothing particularly about pickleball. After the ceremony, we talked face-to-face and then we congratulated each other. We're also hoping to play each other soon and all of that'', he revealed.
At the DUPR 16 Team event, he emerged victorious by teaming up with the likes of Asmi Sapra, Aariv Raj Khanna and Monica Menon to clinch the title.
Zaahan aims nothing but to compete at the highest level. After completing his studies in the UK, he is planning to move back to India and want to take the sport seriously and turn pro.
''I mean, right now, I'm studying in the UK. My parents are currently based out of Dubai for work in the next 2 years. As soon as they move back to India, I would want to move back as well. I would pursue pickleball properly then, and I'll play at the highest level after that,'' he signed off.