Sahaja Yamalapalli leads India’s Billie Jean King Cup push

Sahaja, who competed in the US collegiate, is a giant killer and she made it evident with a straight-set victory (6-2, 6-2) over 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens at a WTA 125 event in Mexico last month.

Bengaluru: Indian women's tennis has a chance to script history in the Garden City, as they have a shot at qualifying for the next year's Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers for the first time. The task, however, is easier said than done as they take on two-time finalists Netherlands and former World Group quarterfinalists Slovenia over the weekend in the playoffs.

Making their second appearance in the BJKC play-offs since exiting at the same stage to Latvia back in 2021, the five-member side feels optimistic about their chances of springing a surprise. That's because of the recent form of most of the team members, including India's No. 1 Sahaja Yamalapalli (world ranking 309).

If you are reading too much into her ranking, especially when she will be up against the Netherlands on Saturday with a possible matchup against world No. 87  Suzan Lamens, you are already making a mistake. 

That's because the 25-year-old Hyderabadi, who competed in the US collegiate, is a giant killer and she made it evident with a straight-set victory (6-2, 6-2) over 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens at a WTA 125 event in Mexico last month. 

"I was a bit nervous before the match given the stature of somebody like her (Sloane) but I treated it just like a normal match," Sahaja told DH. "I decided not to read too much into what she achieved in the past and treated her like any other opponent. I was pleased with the way I went about the match as I played my best tennis."

One may still argue that Sloane has not been her best due to an injury layoff but Sahaja gave further confirmation of her form with her maiden win at a WTA 250 event late October in Chennai.

Coming to Bengaluru, the city is special for her as the Hyderabad-born athlete, who is known for her aggressive baseline play, trains at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence. At the Bengaluru WTA 100 back in January, Sahaja admittedly found her rhythm for the first time with a run to the quarterfinals while defeating much higher-ranked opponents. 

On Monday, she will be looking to break the duck in the Billie Jean King Cup as she is yet to win any of her matches (four in singles and one in doubles) in the competition. Ask Sahaja, he is unfazed by such statistics and is eager to don the Indian colours.

"I’m really excited for the upcoming ties. It’s always a special feeling to represent India it’s not something we get to do often in tennis. To come together as a team with one goal and play for the country gives a completely different kind of energy and motivation. The atmosphere, the support from team-mates, and the pride of wearing India on your back, it’s something I truly look forward to," she said.

The current lot of women's tennis are yet to come out of the shadows of the legendary Sania Mirza, whose success at the international level remains unmatched since her retirement a couple of years ago. While Sahaja has big shoes to fill, the youngster is smart enough to understand that progress takes time and is unwilling to be written off. 

"I think we’re a group that’s growing and learning every season. I’d say we’re beginning to live up to our potential with four Indians in the top 500 list now. It’s not just one player breaking through — it’s a few of us pushing each other, which is very important. There’s still a long way to go, but the mindset and belief are definitely changing in a positive direction," concluded Sahanja.