'It Was Surreal': Shrivalli Bhamidipaty Reflects on Her Debut Win for India at Billie Jean King Cup

Pune(The Uttam Hindu): Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, currently ranked 345 in the WTA singles standings, kicked off India’s Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1 campaign with a perfect start. Reflecting on her debut performance for India, the 23-year-old from Hyderabad shared that while she felt emotional on court, the feeling after securing the win was nothing short of surreal. Bhamidipaty triumphed over New Zealand’s Aishi Das with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory on the opening day of the tournament at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex in Pune. The event, organized by MSLTA in collaboration with AITA and PMDTA, marked a significant milestone in her career.

"It was very emotional to play my debut match for the country. I did feel a bit emotional on court, but I think I handled it well. The team and the captain were incredibly supportive, cheering me on, and the crowd’s support was amazing. That really helped me stay focused and push through," Shrivalli reflected. She also shared her approach during the match, saying, “I focused on each point and tried to give my best, always keeping the country in mind."

Talking about the emotional moments after her victory, Shrivalli said, “When I hugged my teammates after the win, it felt surreal. As individual players, we’ve come together as a team, and the bonding we’ve shared over the past week has been wonderful. The whole atmosphere here has been exciting, and I’ve really enjoyed it.” She went on to explain how the team dynamics have contributed to their success, saying, “We’ve been doing a lot of fun activities off-court, playing games, and getting to know each other. This has really helped us blend as a team. We’ve been trying to stay positive and energetic, and I think that has made a big difference.” The Indian team, comprising both experienced players like Prarthana Thombare and Ankita Raina, along with promising young talents like Maaya Rajeshwaran, presents a strong mix of experience and youth.

Shrivalli praised the guidance from the senior players, stating, “The seniors have been incredibly helpful, sharing insights from their years of experience representing the country. They've helped us stay calm and focused before the matches, which has been very valuable. Having Maaya on the team also adds an extra boost to our spirit.” Reflecting on the tournament conditions, Shrivalli noted, “The courts have been in our favor—they’re slightly faster and bouncier, which suits our playing style. The hot weather also helps us, and we’re all enjoying the conditions here.”