Shrivalli Bhamidipaty made heads flip with persistent wins, 5 in 5 singles matches, in India’s progress to the World Group play-off in the Billie Jean King Cup ladies’s tennis championship in Pune lately.
Playing in the staff competitors at dwelling for the first time, the 23-year-old Shrivalli had a hand in 5 of the 9 matches that India received on this marketing campaign. The facet’s two singles triumphs got here courtesy of Vaidehi Chaudhari who stepped in for first-choice Sahaja Yamalapalli, who needed to retire in the third set of her second singles match towards world No. 105 Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand.
India’s marketing campaign was delicately positioned earlier than its final tie towards Korea. Captain Vishal Uppal performed his playing cards effectively, bringing again Sahaja in place of Vaidehi. This meant Shrivalli was again to tackle the No. 2 facet after successful two of her video games towards the Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei’s top-ranked gamers Hong Yi Cody Wong and Joanna Garland, respectively.
The fixture that adopted – between Shrivalli and Korea’s Sohyun Park – was a three-hour blockbuster which ended up being a fantastic endorsement for the well being of Asian ladies’s tennis. The 23-year-old Indian floor out an unimaginable 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(5) victory.
Confidence personified
Over the years, Shrivalli has been recognized for her dynamism as a participant who may serve and stroke with authority and belt the ball fiercely however in brief spells. The potential to remain targeted and get the work completed was invariably lacking, particularly towards high-quality opponents.
Thus, it was a revelation that Shrivalli stored hammering the winners, and stayed targeted for 3 hours towards the Korean who threw all the things at her. This gripping contest was simply amongst the highlights of the six-team match.
Shrivalli.
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Special Arrangement
Shrivalli was confidence-personified in her come-from-behind victory towards the 22-year-old Park, who had grown fairly snug with the circumstances, having received a match in India earlier this season.
“I was quite thrilled to have won all my matches and very happy with my contribution in India’s qualification for the World Group playoff, only for the second time in history. It is a magical feeling. And I am proud of our performance,” Shrivalli instructed The Hindu.
She was fast to credit score the squad for a profitable staff effort.
“Playing for the country on home soil was an unforgettable experience, filled with emotion,” she mentioned whereas preventing tears following her win towards New Zealand’s Aishi Das in the first tie. Her composure grew after that victory, and Shrivalli climbed right into a zone the place there was no room for emotion.
“I am thankful to captain Vishal Uppal sir, coach Radhika Tulpule for their belief and guidance, and my teammates Ankita [Raina], Prarthana [Thombare], Sahaja [Yamalapalli], Vaidehi [Chaudhari], and Maaya [Rajeshwaran] for their support,” mentioned Shrivlali.
Ankita and Prarthana sealed victory for India in that tie towards Korea by successful the decisive doubles towards Sohyun Park and Kim Dabin in straight units.
Shrivalli.
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Special Arrangement
In the match’s 2024 iteration in China, the likelihood to progress in the competitors was inside India’s attain till its marketing campaign got here undone in the final rubber towards New Zealand, the place India, led then by Asian Games combined doubles gold medallist Rutuja Bhosale and captained by Shalini Thakur Chawla, conceded defeat.
Eventually, three groups had been tied in second place with three wins and two losses behind China, which had received all the things. Korea had progressed then, by advantage of a greater proportion of matches, having received 11 out of 15, as towards India’s eight wins and New Zealand’s seven triumphs.
This time round, Ankita – the top-ranked Indian girl in singles – purchased into captain Vishal’s plans of protecting his skilled doubles staff contemporary for his or her fixtures and fortunately performed her half in the doubles staff with Prarthana for the all the 5 ties towards New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Korea.
Ankita and Prarthana received two of the 5 matches, with the different essential victory coming towards Thailand. Against Hong Kong and Taipei, India was 2-0 up in singles, and thus the doubles matches weren’t that vital. Lulu Sun and Monique Barry had been sturdy for New Zealand towards the Indian pair, which finally helped the Kiwis progress to the playoffs as the first staff earlier than India secured its spot
Do or die
“After losing the first tie to New Zealand, every match was a do-or-die situation for us. We all focused on our game plan as discussed in team meetings. All the teammates bonded well and supported each other, working hard to stay focused and motivated throughout the tournament,” recalled Shrivalli.
While she credited a six-day preparatory camp for India’s beneficial properties on the tennis court docket, what was maybe much more essential was remaining focussed and calm beneath stress.
“Meditation helped me to stay calm and focused. Vishal sir’s guidance, Radhika, the other team members, and the physios Apurva Kulkarni and Rutuja Kulkarni, were constantly encouraging (us) with their cheering and motivation on court. On top of it, the spectators chanting ‘India, India, India’ helped me fight harder. It was a very proud moment for all of us to be part of the historic moment for Indian tennis,” she exclaimed.
It took Shrivalli a couple of days to come back to phrases with the gravity of what this bunch had achieved.
“Qualifying was a magical and emotional moment for all of us. It was huge for Indian tennis. It took more than a day to sink in. I am honoured and thrilled to be a part of this team, making history for the second time,” she mentioned.
“The camp helped the team to bond well and train hard. Both the captain and coach made us work hard to gain that competitive edge, refine our skills, and prepare for the demands of the big tournament. A huge shout out to the team physios, Apurva and Rutuja, for keeping us match fit throughout the two weeks.”
The subsequent step
Will this expertise see Shrivalli climb to a unique degree in the skilled circuit in the forthcoming tournaments?
“Why not? I have realised that discipline, dedication, and consistency are crucial. I need to focus on the overall development of the game, mental strength, and physical conditioning. Need to develop strategies for different surfaces and opponents, and learn from setbacks and mistakes,” mentioned Shrivalli.
Interestingly, Vishal has been guiding Shrivalli on the skilled circuit for fairly a while, however she may see a unique facet, that of an astute tactician, whereas taking part in beneath his management for the first time.
“Vishal sir is an excellent and shrewd captain. He understands the game. More importantly, he knows how to get the best out of his players. He bonded with the team and impressed upon us the value of drawing inspiration rather than pressure when playing for our country. His positive talks during meetings and advice, to fight for all those girls including ourselves who need the support, brought the best out of the team,” mentioned Shrivalli.
But one can solely take the horse to water. Shrivalli’s success lay in her potential to stay in assault mode with out getting carried away or getting slowed down by inevitable errors.
“I believe, risk hai toh ishq hai (when there is risk there is love). I love the challenge of balancing solid defensive play with aggressive attacking shots. It is a delicate balance, but when executed well, it can be very effective,” she defined.
Shrivalli’s health and mobility had been phenomenal throughout the BJK Cup, one thing she has been engaged on alongside growing psychological toughness and a strategic thought course of.
“My revised approach is to improve specific skills and work on consistency. I want to reach the top 200 in the rankings. I will work out a plan with my team to develop a strategy to achieve these goals,” she mentioned.
While her BJK exploits must be a shot in the arm for a teen aiming for the stars, the realities of her ends in the skilled circuit demand extra blood, sweat, and tears ought to she hope to progress. Shrivalli has received solely 5 singles matches in eight tournaments this yr, with six of these occasions occurring on dwelling soil.
With lots of frontiers to overcome, the world is Shrivalli’s oyster, and he or she is simply getting began.
Published – May 16, 2025 12:01 pm IST
