With the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs just days away, India’s top women’s tennis players Ankita Raina, Riya Bhatia, Prarthana Thombare, Sahaja Yamalapalli and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty took time off from their preparations to share their experiences with aspiring players from Karnataka in an inspiring interaction held at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru.
The special session, organised ahead of India’s Play-off tie scheduled from November 14–16, created a rare and meaningful bridge between the country’s elite professionals and its promising grassroots talent. For the youngsters, the opportunity to engage with players they look up to was as much a learning experience as it was a moment of motivation.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
The players discussed various aspects of the professional game from managing nerves to maintaining discipline and consistency over a long career. India’s doubles specialist Prarthana Thombare emphasised the importance of routine and repetition in building confidence.
“It’s not about doing something new in a high-pressure moment,” she said. “It’s about trusting what you’ve done hundreds of times before. When you’ve repeated the same drills again and again, it becomes second nature. That’s when you can stay calm and focused under pressure.”
Echoing her teammate, Ankita Raina, India’s most experienced player in the current squad, underlined how consistency in preparation translates into mental strength.
“You can’t just wake up one morning, meditate once, and expect it to work,” Ankita explained. “It’s about having a system, doing the same things repeatedly, and building that discipline. That’s what helps you stay grounded and handle pressure better.”
Meanwhile, Riya Bhatia shared a perspective that resonated with many of the young athletes in attendance that nerves are not something to fight against, but to embrace.
“It’s good to be nervous,” she smiled. “Even after playing hundreds of matches, we still feel it. Nerves mean you care it’s about using that energy in a positive way.”
The event was attended by several promising juniors from Karnataka, including Meghana G.D, Adira Badri Prasad, Aditi Khanapuri, and Chowdhury, aged between 14 and 16. Their enthusiasm was evident as they soaked in advice from India’s leading players, who are preparing to take on higher-ranked opposition later this week.
For 16-year-old Meghana, the day was particularly special.
“I’m so excited to meet all the players and can’t wait to watch them compete in Bengaluru,” she said. “Ankita Raina is my favourite player she has an incredible serve and such a strong presence on court. To meet her and hear her talk about discipline and mindset was amazing.”
Another young participant, Shreeniti, spoke about the inspiration she drew simply from watching the national team train.
“I feel honoured to be here and watch Team India practice. It was so special to see how focused they are in every session. I’ve learnt so much just by observing their routines.”
For India’s Billie Jean King Cup squad, the session was a reminder of the growing ecosystem of women’s tennis in the country one that increasingly values mentorship, access, and visibility. With players like Sahaja and Shrivalli breaking through on the ITF circuit and joining the national core, India’s depth in women’s tennis has never looked stronger.
As the national team now turns its focus to the Play-offs, events like these underline a larger purpose beyond the week’s results inspiring the next generation to dream bigger, work harder, and carry the torch forward for Indian tennis.
The atmosphere at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium was one of learning, laughter, and shared ambition a reflection of how far Indian women’s tennis has come, and how deeply it continues to influence the young talent emerging from the state circuits.
