Emerging Star Ashritha Raju Shines at Junior Pickleball Championship

Ashritha Raju's Impressive Debut in Pickleball

At just 18 years old, Ashritha Raju from Hyderabad is making waves in the world of pickleball, a sport she recently embraced. Competing in her third national tournament at India's inaugural Junior Pickleball Championship in Ahmedabad, she secured both a gold and a silver medal, showcasing her remarkable adaptability and potential in this rapidly growing sport. Her achievements are particularly impressive given her limited experience, having only played pickleball for six months. Ashritha's transition from tennis has been swift, as she clinched the U18 girls doubles gold and the U18 girls singles silver at the championship.

Aiming for the Pickleball World Cup

Pickleball World Cup - Fingers Crossed

Reflecting on her performance, Ashritha expressed satisfaction, stating, “My overall performance in the competition was good. It was a new experience playing with different people from various states. It was good exposure for me.” Despite her success, she remains hopeful about being selected for the Indian team for the upcoming Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, scheduled from August 30 to September 6. The Junior Championship served as a crucial selection trial for India's emerging talents. “I feel like my chances are kind of in the ratio of 80 to 20. I have given my best there in singles and doubles, and let's see,” she added.

From Tennis to Pickleball

Before venturing into pickleball, Ashritha had a solid foundation in tennis, which she played until last year before taking a break for her 12th board exams. “I used to play tennis. I stopped it last year before my 12th board exams. After that, I started playing pickleball,” she explained. Her transition has already yielded results, as she made her mark at the IPA Nationals in Bengaluru, winning the U18 girls team gold with Telangana and a bronze in the open women’s singles category. In April, she further elevated her game at the Indian Open, securing gold medals in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Developing Her Game

Aggressive Baseline Game

Ashritha draws inspiration from the aggressive playing style of World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters. “I watch Anna Leigh Waters a lot. I like everything about her game. She is very aggressive in both singles and doubles and does not give up easily. Her consistency is incredible - she has barely lost any matches. I do have a similar style of aggressive game,” she noted. Her background in tennis influences her approach, as she relies on power and depth, particularly in singles, while adapting to the nuances of doubles play.

Facing Challenges and Learning

Defeat and Redemption

Ashritha showcased her skills at the Junior Championship, reaching the U18 girls singles final after defeating Pickleball World Cup medallist Anushka Chhabria in the semifinals. However, she faced a narrow defeat against fellow Hyderabadi Diya Mattipati, losing 21-17 in a closely contested final. Reflecting on her loss, she acknowledged, “I lost the match by a small margin. I made a few silly errors at a crucial time. If I had those points, I would have still made it and won.”

However, she quickly redeemed herself by winning the U18 girls doubles title alongside Minal Shaik Kalyan, defeating Ruvanashri SK and Aashrithaa S 21-14.

Looking Ahead

Focus on Improvement

Ashritha recognizes the increasing competitiveness of pickleball in India. “It was quite good and competitive enough. Since pickleball is an upcoming sport in India, I don’t think there’s too much tough competition yet. But it’s growing every day, you know. It’s way better compared to events that happened last year,” she remarked. Despite her achievements, she remains committed to refining her skills and enhancing her game. “Right now, I am consistent enough to keep the ball in play. But there are other shots like fake shots and resets. I also need to improve my net game in singles. Since I am a baseline player, I tend to stay back. Then in doubles, I have to maintain consistency in resetting the ball,” she concluded. Ashritha is eager for more significant opportunities and aims to compete on the PPA Tour, hoping to meet her idol, Anna Leigh Waters, in the future.