Manaswinee Hazarika: Rising Star in Indian Pickleball

Introduction to Pickleball Journey

Manaswinee Hazarika embarked on her pickleball journey late last year, aiming to assess her skills before representing Assam at the National Championships. In under a year, she has emerged as a leading player in the state, achieving a Triple Crown at the Madhya Pradesh Open and securing multiple medals in PWR events, while also establishing herself on the national stage. However, her path has not been without challenges.

Transition from Tennis to Pickleball

Hazarika attributes her swift adaptation to pickleball to her background in tennis, though she acknowledges the steep learning curve that came with national competition. "I began playing pickleball towards the end of last year, primarily to understand the competition level before the Nationals. Coming from tennis, I found it easier to start, especially since pickleball was just gaining traction in Assam with our first commercial court opening a month prior," she shared in an exclusive interview.

She noted that during the early days, players were essentially applying tennis strategies on a pickleball court, lacking understanding of key concepts like dinking and kitchen play. Their first major realization came during the Pickle Day event, with the Nationals serving as an even greater wake-up call, despite winning two medals.

Growth Through Challenges

Rather than shy away from tough competition, Hazarika intentionally participated in higher divisions, even if it meant facing numerous defeats. "I continued to enter larger tournaments, including the Grand Slam and several events in Kolkata, which is nearby. I began earning medals in intermediate categories while also competing in advanced divisions. Although I lost many matches, those experiences were crucial for my development as a player," she explained.

Her perseverance paid off as she began to see results, winning her first advanced-category medal in mixed doubles at the Ultimate Pickleball Showdown, followed by additional medals at the Kolkata Open and a Triple Crown at a tournament in Indore.

Strategic Evolution in Gameplay

A significant transformation in Hazarika's game has been her ability to slow down and focus on the strategic elements of pickleball. "Initially, I played pickleball like tennis, prioritizing speed and quick points. However, as I faced tougher opponents, I realized the need to slow down and appreciate the nuances of the game, such as dinking and kitchen play," she noted.

She emphasized that her kitchen game has improved considerably, along with her reflexes and understanding of when to be aggressive versus when to exercise patience. "If I had to pinpoint my most significant growth area, it would undoubtedly be my kitchen game and overall game management," she added.

Women’s Impact on Pickleball

Hazarika highlighted the increasing participation of women in Indian pickleball as a positive development. "When I started, there were very few female players, and often women's categories were canceled due to insufficient entries. That has changed significantly, with strong participation across various age groups," she remarked.

She expressed excitement about the influx of new female players, noting their impressive performances at events like the Indian Open, which bodes well for the sport's future in the country.

Future Prospects in Pickleball

Despite the growing interest in pickleball, Hazarika believes that a full-time professional pathway is still developing. "It may take a few more years to establish a full-time playing career. However, opportunities in coaching and other areas of the sport are already emerging. As for competing full-time, we still need more time," she stated.

Reflecting on the growth of pickleball in Assam, she noted the rapid establishment of courts and tournaments over the past year. "The pickleball movement in Assam began last year, and we have already hosted our first PWR event. In just seven to eight months, nearly ten new courts have been built, which is a significant increase from what we had before," she explained.

Aiming for Greater Heights

Despite her recent achievements, Hazarika remains focused on continuous improvement rather than just rankings. "One of my goals this year was to break into the Top 5 of the PWR rankings, which I believe I have accomplished. While international tournaments are not on my agenda this year, I aim to keep improving and winning more significant tournaments," she shared.

She has already secured PWR 200 and PWR 400 titles in the Open category, with aspirations to win a PWR 700 or PWR 1000 event next. Hazarika also aims to improve her performance at the Nationals, where she previously won bronze medals. "My primary focus is on enhancing my game, which I work on every day," she concluded.