Sahaja Yamalapalli has officially risen to the top of Indian women’s tennis, becoming the country’s new No. 1 player, a distinction last held by her state-mate and tennis icon Sania Mirza. The 23-year-old from Khammam, Telangana, now leads the national rankings, with Ankita Raina and B. Shrivalli in second and third place, respectively.
Speaking to Sportstar from the Dominican Republic, Yamalapalli expressed her surprise and joy at achieving this milestone.
“Honestly, I have never thought of being India No. 1. Even in the juniors category, I have never achieved that ranking. But again, I don’t actually think too much about these rankings,” she remarked. Yamalapalli was informed just two weeks ago that she was on the verge of becoming the top player in India. “So, that way, I am super happy to achieve it.”
For Sahaja, this ranking is less about the title and more of a reminder to keep working hard. “For me, this ranking is just another milestone and a reminder that I keep doing things that I have been doing to be a better player. Of course, to keep winning matches is the primary objective,” she added.
Her latest success comes on the heels of her title win at the SoCal Pro Series in North America, further cementing her rise in the global rankings, where she currently stands at World No. 303.
Yamalapalli’s ascent to the top of Indian tennis is supported by a strong team of backers. One of her primary supporters is Prahlad Kumar Jain, a tennis coach who also owns a pharmaceutical company. His financial backing, along with support from Tech Wave, Lakshya Sports Foundation, and individuals like Neeraj Kedia and Subrahmanyam Reddy, has allowed Sahaja to focus entirely on her game.
“Well, but for the support from Tech Wave and Lakshya Sports Foundation and Messrs Prahlad Kumar Jain, Neeraj Kedia, and Subrahmanyam Reddy, the journey would have been more difficult,” she acknowledged.
At just 23, Yamalapalli is acutely aware of the challenges and expectations that come with her new No. 1 ranking. Her primary focus is to improve her world ranking and qualify for major international events, including Grand Slams. “My efforts will be to keep improving the World ranking and make it to as many big events as possible, including Grand Slams,” she stated.
Yamalapalli also aims to develop her skills across different surfaces, particularly clay courts, where she has seen recent improvement. “I have been focussing to be a complete player on all surfaces. Definitely trying to get better on clay courts also though I have been earlier playing mostly on hard courts. I am glad that I could make it to the semifinal in a clay court championship a few days ago,” she said, reflecting on her adaptability.
However, one of her major concerns is finding a dependable travelling coach. While she currently travels alone, Yamalapalli is optimistic about her upcoming schedule, which includes nine hard-court tournaments in the United States over the next three months.
“Right now, I am enjoying travelling alone and hope to do well in the nine tournaments (all on hard courts) in the US in the next three months. Hopefully, I would love to win a couple of titles too,” she concluded with confidence.
Sahaja Yamalapalli’s rise to the top of Indian tennis signifies not only her immense talent but also her determination to continue pushing boundaries. With her eyes set on the international stage, the young player is poised to follow in the footsteps of Indian tennis legends like Sania Mirza, carving out her own legacy in the sport.
