Emerging Star Ashritha Raju Shines at Junior Pickleball Championship
Ashritha Raju's Remarkable Journey 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 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 performance included winning the U18 girls doubles gold and the U18 girls singles silver.
Hopes for the Pickleball World Cup
Reflecting on her experience, Ashritha stated, “My overall performance in the competition was good. It was a new experience playing with different people from different states. It was good exposure for me.” She is now 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.
Before transitioning to pickleball, Ashritha had a background in tennis, which she played until last year before taking a break for her 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 tennis experience has already begun to pay off, as she previously won gold at the IPA Nationals in Bengaluru and gold medals in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles at the Indian Open in April.
Developing an Aggressive Game
Inspired by World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, Ashritha is crafting her playing style to combine aggression with control. “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,” she shared. Ashritha's game still reflects her tennis roots, relying on power and depth, particularly in singles, while she is adapting to the nuances of doubles play.
Facing Challenges and Finding Success
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 narrowly lost to fellow Hyderabadi Diya Mattipati in a closely contested final. “I lost the match by a small margin. I made a few silly errors at a crucial time,” she reflected. Redemption came quickly as she teamed up with Minal Shaik Kalyan to win the U18 girls doubles title, defeating Ruvanashri SK and Aashrithaa S 21-14.
Ashritha acknowledged the growing competitiveness in India's pickleball scene, stating, “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.”
Commitment to Improvement
Despite her successes, Ashritha is focused on 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 that I need to improve,” she noted. Looking ahead, she aspires for greater exposure and aims to compete on larger platforms, including the PPA Tour, while hoping to meet her idol, Anna Leigh Waters.