It was a week filled with determination, teamwork, and incredible performances from both the young stars and experienced players of the Indian women’s tennis team. The journey, which began with fresh faces taking the lead, ended with India’s senior players delivering the final blow to seal their place in the Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs.
The decisive moment came on Saturday, during India’s final group tie against South Korea. All eyes were on the doubles team of Prarthana Thombare (31) and Ankita Raina (32) as they stepped up to play the deciding match. With the teams tied at 1-1, everything rested on their shoulders. The atmosphere was tense at the Balewadi Tennis Stadium in Pune, where the tournament was being held.
As Thombare hit a stunning forehand down the line for match point, the crowd erupted in joy. The ball landed perfectly and struck the backboard, confirming India’s 2-1 win over Korea. The entire team — including captain Vishal Uppal, the coaching staff, and physios — rushed onto the court to celebrate. It was a historic moment as India reached the playoff stage of the Billie Jean King Cup for only the second time ever.
A Strong Journey Through the Group Stage
India was competing in Asia/Oceania Group 1, where teams played in a round-robin format. The top two teams from the group would qualify for the playoffs. Over the course of the week, India faced strong opponents like New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, and South Korea. They won every tie except one — a close loss to New Zealand, who also advanced to the playoffs.
What stood out this year was India’s depth in singles, something that captain Vishal Uppal had highlighted before the tournament began. And the players didn’t disappoint.
Young Stars Step Up
Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, a 23-year-old from Hyderabad, was one of India’s biggest stars this week. She played five singles matches and won every single one. Her most impressive performance came in the final tie against Korea. She lost the first set but made a strong comeback to win 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(5) against Sohyun Park, giving India an early lead in the match.
Meanwhile, Sahaja Yamalapalli, who began the tournament strongly, had to be replaced due to injury. In her absence, Vaidehi Chaudhari stepped in and played brilliantly, winning two important singles matches to help India stay in the race for the playoffs.
Though Sahaja returned for the final tie against Korea, she lost her singles match 6-3, 6-4 to Dayeon Back, leveling the tie at 1-1. With the playoff spot on the line, everything came down to the doubles match.
Experience Shines in Doubles
While Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare had struggled earlier in the week — losing three doubles matches — they brought their best when it mattered most. In the final doubles rubber, they played with confidence and energy. Raina was rock-solid from the baseline, and Thombare showed quick reflexes and smart positioning at the net.
The Indian pair beat Sohyun Park and Dabin Kim with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 win. The duo mixed up their game beautifully — using moonballs, volleys, smashes, and powerful groundstrokes to outplay the Korean pair. It was clear they had saved their best performance for the most important match.
Celebrations and a Powerful Message
As soon as the final point was won, the Indian team celebrated with loud cheers and hugs on the court. It was not just a victory in a tennis match — it was the result of months of hard work, planning, and belief.
After the match, team captain Vishal Uppal addressed the cheering crowd with an important message: “Your girls have a lot of potential. Back your girls.”
He had called this campaign “Project Playoffs” when the week began. Now, that mission was accomplished.
Looking Ahead
With this win, India moves into the Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs, a major step forward for women’s tennis in the country. This platform gives them a chance to compete against some of the top teams in the world. It also shows the growth of Indian women’s tennis, with a blend of rising young stars and seasoned professionals working together as one unit.
The strength shown by young players like Shrivalli and Vaidehi, and the leadership from experienced players like Ankita and Prarthana, shows that India is building a strong foundation for the future.
A Team Effort
What made this campaign even more special was how the team stood together — supporting each other through wins and losses. Whether it was cheering from the bench, providing motivation during matches, or offering guidance between sets, it was a team effort in every sense.
For a sport that often focuses on individual performances, India’s Billie Jean King Cup run proved the power of unity. And with the playoffs ahead, fans will be excited to see how far this spirited squad can go.
