Copyright timesnownews
Amrita Mukherjee’s journey to the 2025 Pickleball World Cup is one built on persistence, purpose, and pride. From setting up one of Kolkata’s first pickleball courts to earning her place in India’s national squad, she has lived every bit of the sport’s rise in the country. Now, as she prepares to represent India in the Women’s Singles category on the global stage, Amrita speaks about mental strength, team spirit, and the honour of carrying the tricolour. In this exclusive conversation with Pickleball Now, Amrita opens up on handling pressure, facing top international players, and her dream of building a thriving pickleball ecosystem in India. When Amrita Mukherjee was selected to represent India in Women's Singles at the 2025 Pickleball World Cup, the emotions ran deep. "The Indian Team Selection Trials were held at Ahmedabad. Qualifying and earning my spot on the Indian Team felt surreal, a mix of pride, gratitude and a sense of responsibility, too. I've had the privilege of representing India in tennis at the junior level, and the opportunity to do so again is simply amazing. Feels like proof that persistence and perseverance do pay off," she said. Speaking on mental resilience, she said, "I go back to the basics: one point, one rally, one shot at a time. I remind myself that pressure means I'm still in the fight — and that's a privilege. At the World Cup, it will be a huge help to have the guidance of our Team Captain, the supremely experienced Dhiren Patel, and our Coach, the ever-encouraging Manish Rao. Their presence will definitely help in the tough moments." On the team's spirit, Amrita shared, "It's honestly a great mix of energy and fun. Everyone's hungry to perform, but we're keen to enjoy this massive experience too. In terms of skill, experience, and overall strength, we're definitely a balanced side." Looking ahead to her most formidable opponents, she added, "The Americans. They set the benchmark globally, and I want to see how close we are. It's not about fear, it's about curiosity and growth. Also, playing the home team will be an experience to remember, I'm sure!" On handling pressure while representing the Indian flag, she explained, "It adds purpose. It would be a lie if I said I feel no nerves, no pressure, but what an honour to feel this pressure. My entire family has gone to great lengths to support me in my sporting endeavours, and thinking of them also motivates me to keep fighting. And at the end of the day, for any athlete, representing her country is the biggest honour; this is what we step on court for. I hope I can make the Indian pickleball community proud." Sharing her goals, Amrita said, "Right now, I want to play brave and make every point count. And of course, as a player, the goal is to go for Gold. Long term, I want to help build a proper pickleball ecosystem in India, one that supports players, coaches, and dreamers equally. I feel lucky to be a part of the growing pickleball culture in India." When asked about her advice to young girls dreaming of a similar path, her advice was simple yet powerful: "Just start. Don't wait for perfect courts or perfect timing. Be curious, be fearless, and believe that your story belongs on the court too. Women in sport are very close to my heart, whether it's tennis or pickleball. And if I can inspire even one young girl to pick up a paddle and test her limits, then it'll all have been worth it."
