As pressure built through long rallies and tight moments at the Kolkata Open, one voice cut through the noise for Agnimitra Bhattacharya. From just beside the court, her father kept it simple, “aaram se, aaste aaste.” Stay calm. Take it point by point. It is a presence that has kept the teenager grounded through her transition from tennis to pickleball, and one she credits as a quiet constant behind her three-title run at the event.
“When I left tennis, I was very depressed. I had always been into sports since I was eight or nine years old, so I thought maybe I have to end it somewhere. Then I found a court near my house in Mumbai, tried it out, played a local tournament and won gold. I didn’t take it seriously at that point, but my friends and coaches pushed me. I thought, okay, let’s go on a run with this, and I’m really enjoying it,” she told. Pickleball Now in an exclusive chat.
The shift has been rapid, both personally and within the sport. “It’s huge. It’s increasing every day. A year back, players didn’t dink much, but now everyone is getting into dink battles. Everyone is learning the sport. There’s a lot of money involved and a lot of joy in being part of it,” she said.
At the Kolkata Open, that progress translated into her best result yet.
“I’ve been working really hard with my coaches. My coach Sourav Pandya, who was also my tennis coach, has been helping me a lot. In doubles, my partners and mentors have also supported me,” she said.
Behind the results sits a support system that allows her to stay focused on court, even with academic commitments in the background. “I’m in Grade 12 and doing open schooling so I can focus on tournaments. My parents don’t put pressure on marks. They just want me to finish my education and pursue what I want. They’re really happy that I’m playing pickleball,” she said.
That backing has also shaped her outlook in matches. In the singles final, where she closed out an 11-2 win, clarity of approach made the difference. “I had a clear strategy. I’ve played her many times. She’s a great player, so I just wanted to go in free and go for my shots. It worked out well today,” she said.
Switching across formats remains a challenge, but one she is learning to manage. “It’s tough to switch from singles to doubles. In singles you’re hitting drives, but in doubles you have to slow down and adjust. My partners helped me warm up well and make that shift,” she said.
Even moments of tension, like a disputed line call during a doubles match, were handled without fuss. “We thought the ball was in, the umpire said it was in, but the opponents felt it was out. It happens,” she said.
Weather added another layer of difficulty, with wind and rain affecting play. “It’s really tough with wind and rain, but if you’re a good player, nothing should matter. The one who adapts better is the one who wins,” she said.
With the domestic circuit expanding, Agnimitra now has her sights set on the international stage. “I’m really excited for the World Cup trials. I want to go to Vietnam and represent my country,” she said.
For now, the image from Kolkata remains clear. A young player in control on court, and a steady voice from the sidelines reminding her to stay calm, one point at a time.
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organizing the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
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