Shrivalli Bhamidipaty made heads flip with persistent wins, 5 in 5 singles matches, in India’s progress to the World Group play-off within the Billie Jean King Cup ladies’s tennis championship in Pune not too long ago.
Taking part in within the staff competitors at dwelling for the primary time, the 23-year-old Shrivalli had a hand in 5 of the 9 matches that India received on this marketing campaign. The aspect’s two singles triumphs got here courtesy of Vaidehi Chaudhari who stepped in for first-choice Sahaja Yamalapalli, who needed to retire within the third set of her second singles match in opposition to world No. 105 Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand.
India’s marketing campaign was delicately positioned earlier than its final tie in opposition to Korea. Captain Vishal Uppal performed his playing cards effectively, bringing again Sahaja instead of Vaidehi. This meant Shrivalli was again to tackle the No. 2 aspect after profitable two of her video games in opposition to the Hong Kong and Chinese language 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 an amazing 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
Through the years, Shrivalli has been identified for her dynamism as a participant who may serve and stroke with authority and belt the ball fiercely however in brief spells. The power to remain centered and get the work finished was invariably lacking, particularly in opposition to high-quality opponents.
Thus, it was a revelation that Shrivalli stored hammering the winners, and stayed centered for 3 hours in opposition to the Korean who threw every thing at her. This gripping contest was simply among the many highlights of the six-team match.
Shrivalli.
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association
Shrivalli was confidence-personified in her come-from-behind victory in opposition to the 22-year-old Park, who had grown fairly snug with the circumstances, having received a match in India earlier this season.
“I used to be fairly thrilled to have received all my matches and really pleased with my contribution in India’s qualification for the World Group playoff, just for the second time in historical past. It’s a magical feeling. And I’m pleased with our efficiency,” Shrivalli instructed The Hindu.
She was fast to credit score the squad for a profitable staff effort.
“Taking part in for the nation on dwelling soil was an unforgettable expertise, crammed with emotion,” she mentioned whereas combating tears following her win in opposition to New Zealand’s Aishi Das within 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’m grateful to captain Vishal Uppal sir, coach Radhika Tulpule for his or her perception and steering, and my teammates Ankita [Raina], Prarthana [Thombare], Sahaja [Yamalapalli], Vaidehi [Chaudhari], and Maaya [Rajeshwaran] for his or her help,” mentioned Shrivlali.
Ankita and Prarthana sealed victory for India in that tie in opposition to Korea by profitable the decisive doubles in opposition to Sohyun Park and Kim Dabin in straight units.
Shrivalli.
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association
Within the match’s 2024 iteration in China, the prospect to progress within the competitors was inside India’s attain till its marketing campaign got here undone within the final rubber in opposition to New Zealand, the place India, led then by Asian Video games combined doubles gold medallist Rutuja Bhosale and captained by Shalini Thakur Chawla, conceded defeat.
Finally, three groups had been tied in second place with three wins and two losses behind China, which had received every thing. Korea had progressed then, by advantage of a greater proportion of matches, having received 11 out of 15, as in opposition to India’s eight wins and New Zealand’s seven triumphs.
This time round, Ankita – the top-ranked Indian lady in singles – purchased into captain Vishal’s plans of protecting his skilled doubles staff recent for his or her fixtures and fortunately performed her half within the doubles staff with Prarthana for the all of the 5 ties in opposition to New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, Chinese language Taipei and Korea.
Ankita and Prarthana received two of the 5 matches, with the opposite essential victory coming in opposition to Thailand. In opposition to Hong Kong and Taipei, India was 2-0 up in singles, and thus the doubles matches weren’t that vital. Lulu Solar and Monique Barry had been robust for New Zealand in opposition to the Indian pair, which in the end helped the Kiwis progress to the playoffs as the primary staff earlier than India secured its spot
Do or die
“After shedding the primary tie to New Zealand, each match was a do-or-die scenario for us. All of us centered on our sport plan as mentioned in staff conferences. All of the teammates bonded effectively and supported one another, working onerous to remain centered and motivated all through the match,” recalled Shrivalli.
Whereas she credited a six-day preparatory camp for India’s positive factors on the tennis court docket, what was maybe much more essential was remaining focussed and calm underneath strain.
“Meditation helped me to remain calm and centered. Vishal sir’s steering, Radhika, the opposite staff members, and the physios Apurva Kulkarni and Rutuja Kulkarni, had been consistently encouraging (us) with their cheering and motivation on court docket. On high of it, the spectators chanting ‘India, India, India’ helped me battle tougher. It was a really proud second for all of us to be a part of the historic second for Indian tennis,” she exclaimed.
It took Shrivalli just a few days to return to phrases with the gravity of what this bunch had achieved.
“Qualifying was a magical and emotional second for all of us. It was large for Indian tennis. It took greater than a day to sink in. I’m honoured and thrilled to be part of this staff, making historical past for the second time,” she mentioned.
“The camp helped the staff to bond effectively and prepare onerous. Each the captain and coach made us work onerous to achieve that aggressive edge, refine our abilities, and put together for the calls for of the large match. An enormous shout out to the staff physios, Apurva and Rutuja, for protecting us match match all through the 2 weeks.”
The following step
Will this expertise see Shrivalli climb to a unique stage within the skilled circuit within the forthcoming tournaments?
“Why not? I’ve realised that self-discipline, dedication, and consistency are essential. I have to concentrate on the general growth of the sport, psychological power, and bodily conditioning. Have to develop methods for various surfaces and opponents, and be taught from setbacks and errors,” mentioned Shrivalli.
Curiously, Vishal has been guiding Shrivalli on the skilled circuit for fairly a while, however she may see a unique aspect, that of an astute tactician, whereas taking part in underneath his management for the primary time.
“Vishal sir is a wonderful and shrewd captain. He understands the sport. Extra importantly, he is aware of easy methods to get the most effective out of his gamers. He bonded with the staff and impressed upon us the worth of drawing inspiration fairly than strain when taking part in for our nation. His constructive talks throughout conferences and recommendation, to battle for all these women together with ourselves who want the help, introduced the most effective out of the staff,” mentioned Shrivalli.
However one can solely take the horse to water. Shrivalli’s success lay in her means to stay in assault mode with out getting carried away or getting slowed down by inevitable errors.
“I consider, danger hai toh ishq hai (when there’s danger there’s love). I really like the problem of balancing strong defensive play with aggressive attacking pictures. It’s a delicate stability, however when executed effectively, it may be very efficient,” she defined.
Shrivalli’s health and mobility had been phenomenal through the BJK Cup, one thing she has been engaged on alongside creating psychological toughness and a strategic thought course of.
“My revised strategy is to enhance particular abilities and work on consistency. I wish to attain the highest 200 within the rankings. I’ll work out a plan with my staff to develop a method to realize these objectives,” she mentioned.
Whereas her BJK exploits must be a shot within the arm for a teenager aiming for the celebrities, the realities of her leads to 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 loads of frontiers to overcome, the world is Shrivalli’s oyster, and he or she is simply getting began.
Revealed – Could 16, 2025 12:01 pm IST
