Shrivalli Bhamidipaty could not have asked for a better start to her Billie Jean King Cup journey. The 23-year-old from Hyderabad, currently ranked 345 in the WTA singles rankings, delivered a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win over New Zealand’s Aishi Das in India’s opening tie at the Asia-Oceania Group 1 event, held at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex in Pune.
Despite India’s eventual 1-2 loss to New Zealand, Shrivalli’s debut performance stood out as a bright spark, giving her plenty of reasons to cherish the moment. “It was really emotional playing my debut match for the country,” Shrivalli said after her win. “I was a little emotional on court, but I think I handled myself well. The team and the captain helped me a lot by cheering from the sidelines, and the crowd also backed us for every point. That support really helped me pull through the match.”
Focused and determined, Shrivalli revealed she had kept her mind centered on the task at hand. “I was just trying to focus on every point and give my best,” she said. “I kept reminding myself that I was playing for India, and that kept me motivated throughout.”
The match, which lasted under an hour, saw Shrivalli dominate with six aces and an impressive break-point conversion rate. Her aggressive play and composure set the tone for India early in the tie.
Reflecting on the emotional moments that followed her victory, she added, “The feeling when I hugged my teammates after the win was surreal. All of us, being individual players, have come together to play as a team. The bond we’ve built over the past week has been incredible. I’ve really loved the atmosphere here.”
Off the court, the Indian team has been working equally hard to build camaraderie, something Shrivalli believes has translated into positive energy on match days.
“We’ve been doing a lot of crazy stuff off the court — playing games, getting to know each other better,” she shared with a laugh. “We have a good blend of personalities, and we’ve tried to stay chirpy and high-spirited, which has really helped us gel as a unit.” The Indian squad this year is a balanced mix of experience and youth, featuring seasoned campaigners like Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare alongside emerging talents like Maaya Rajeshwaran. Shrivalli was quick to acknowledge the role the seniors have played in helping the younger players. “The seniors have been amazing,” Shrivalli said. “They’ve been sharing their experiences about playing for India, giving us insights and tips. They’ve also been very supportive in calming our nerves before matches, which has made a huge difference.”
She also credited the conditions in Pune for favoring India’s style of play. “The courts here are slightly faster and bouncier, and all of us love playing on such surfaces,” she explained. “Plus, the hot weather works in our favor as we’re more used to it.” However, after Shrivalli’s early heroics gave India a 1-0 lead, New Zealand fought back. In the second singles match, Sahaja Yamalapalli faced a tough opponent in Lulu Sun, eventually going down 3-6, 3-6. The decisive doubles match saw India’s Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare battle hard against New Zealand’s Lulu Sun and Monique Barry but ultimately fall 3-6, 4-6.
Despite the loss, there were positives to take away for India, particularly with how players like Shrivalli have stepped up on the big stage. The tournament, hosted for the first time in India, was inaugurated by a host of former Fed Cup players including Radhika Tulpule-Kanitkar and Pranjala Yadlapalli, with dignitaries like MSLTA Chairman Bharat Oza and Hon. Secretary Sunder Iyer also present.
Looking ahead, Shrivalli remains optimistic. India will next face Thailand on Wednesday, and the young star is eager to build on her winning start. “We’re just taking it one match at a time,” she said. “The goal is to stay positive, stay together as a team, and give it our all. Representing India is a dream come true, and I just want to keep enjoying every moment.”
