Rahul Belwal Reflects on Success and Future Goals in Pickleball
Belwal's Journey in the Tournament
Despite clinching a gold medal in the Split Age Doubles and a silver in the 30+ Mixed Doubles category, Rahul Belwal feels there is still potential for growth. In an interview, he discussed the importance of developing chemistry with his partner Himansh, their close loss in the mixed doubles final, and his aspirations to join the Indian team for the upcoming Pickleball World Cup.
Belwal shared that this was their first time competing together, which made their success even more rewarding. "This was actually our debut as a team," he noted, explaining how they initially struggled to find their rhythm during the round-robin matches. "We were figuring out how to play together, but eventually, everything fell into place. Our last two matches were particularly strong, and I’m thrilled with the chemistry we established."
Reflecting on the mixed doubles final, where they lost in three games, he attributed the defeat to a slow start. "We began the match sluggishly, but rallied back in the second game. I believe we should have maintained that intensity into the third game instead of taking a longer break, as we had the momentum on our side," he explained. "We had opportunities to score, but we missed two easy shots, which shifted the momentum away from us. If we had capitalized on those points, the outcome might have been different."
With the tournament being a key selection event for the Pickleball World Cup, Belwal expressed his pride in potentially representing India. "Being selected for the Indian team would be a tremendous honor. I’m pleased with my performance and feel I’ve positioned myself well for consideration," he stated. He emphasized that his immediate goal is to enhance his skills in preparation for international competition. "I want to focus on improving my sharpness. Competing in more matches will help me get ready to face professional players at the World Cup. Everything else is progressing well; it’s primarily my sharpness that I aim to refine."