Dhiren Patel combined tactical adjustments, composure and a healthy sense of humor to capture the 40+ Men’s Singles title at the Picklebay Zonals North, one of the key tournaments in India’s pickleball calendar this year.
The PWR 700 Indian Pickleball Association sanctioned event carries added significance as a senior selection trial for the upcoming Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, where players are competing for a chance to represent India on the international stage.
Patel’s road to the title was not without challenges. Reflecting on his semifinal, he admitted that his original plan did not work as expected.
“Initially, I was trying to come to the net and look for easy high balls and pop-ups. But those opportunities came quickly, and I ended up missing three or four volleys.”
Rather than forcing the issue, Patel made an in-match adjustment that turned the contest in his favour.
“At that point, I told myself to stay back and return to grinding from the baseline.”
“I started hurting my opponent with my groundstrokes, and that’s how I managed to turn the match around and convert it into a win.”
The final proved far more comfortable, with Patel cruising to a commanding 15-4 victory. Yet he insisted the scoreline was never part of the plan.
“No, honestly, I never try to give anyone a pickle or think about the score in that way.”
“The score just happens. You keep playing point by point and stay focused on the present point.”
“If you keep doing the right things consistently, the score can become 15-0, 15-5, 15-6, or whatever it ends up being.”
Away from the tactical side of the game, Patel also provided one of the lighter moments of the tournament with his interactions with spectators during the final.
“Honestly, I enjoy everything. Whether people are cheering for me or cheering for my opponent, I enjoy the atmosphere. In fact, I can even cheer for my opponent.”
Patel revealed he was amused by conversations taking place courtside during the match.
“I enjoy the moment. Some of my colleagues, like Vishal and others, were saying things to Himanshu during the match. I was trying to listen in and jokingly put my ear towards them.”
“Then they said, ‘We’re talking in Marathi now,’ so I was like, ‘Okay, I’m out of this conversation.'”
For Patel, those moments are part of what makes competition enjoyable.
“It’s all part of the fun and part of good sportsmanship.”
With the title secured and World Cup selection on the horizon, Patel’s blend of competitiveness, adaptability and sportsmanship made him one of the standout performers in Gurgaon.
