Who is India’s Pickleball Prodigy: Dev Shah’s journey to winning the U-16 Boys Double Crown at the PWR DUPR India Masters was far from an overnight success. For this 16-year-old from Ahmedabad, the path to victory was paved with intense dedication, as he consistently devoted 4-5 hours daily to his training. Shah stands out from the crowd—not just for his skill but for his ability to challenge and compete with players significantly older than him.
Rising Star from Gujarat
Hailing from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Dev Shah proved his talent at the PWR DUPR India Masters by clinching both the U-16 Boys Singles and Doubles titles. His drive didn’t stop there; he faced off against seasoned players, including his coach Dhiren Patel and the tournament’s triple-crown champion, Armaan Bhatia, in the Pro Men’s category. Shah’s commitment and grit distinguish him from the typical 16-year-old, marking him as a standout in the Indian pickleball scene.
A Pandemic Discovery
While Shah originally enjoyed football and cricket at a school level, the COVID-19 lockdown introduced him to pickleball, an unexpected twist. According to his mother, who spoke to Pickleball Now, “For the past year he was at home and put on a lot of weight. As a mother, I can’t see my son going from fit to unfit.” They initially approached coach Dhiren Patel for tennis lessons, but pickleball caught his interest. Three years later, Shah is a force on the court, and his family couldn’t be prouder.
Success Built on Camaraderie and Discipline
In the U-16 Boys Singles category, Shah defeated close friend Purvansh Patel with a 15-11 score in the final before joining forces with him to secure the U-16 Boys Doubles title. The pair’s strong bond extended beyond the court, which Shah described as key to their teamwork: “We already have a great connection on the court and off the court; he also happens to be a very good friend of mine.”
Shah’s success in the tournament was a culmination of years of hard work. “I’ve been practicing for this tournament for a long time. I train around 4-5 hours daily to stay at my best,” he noted. With each match, Shah carries a unique pre-game ritual: his mother gives him something sweet—chocolate or a protein bar—adding a ‘sweet’ touch to his pre-game preparations.
Learning from the Best
Dhiren Patel, one of the world’s top players in the 35+ Men’s Singles category, also competed in the PWR DUPR India Masters. Patel’s influence on Shah has been profound, teaching him the value of staying calm during matches. “Sir is very calm in every situation, and I learned to keep composed in every stage of a match,” Shah said. In a memorable face-off, Shah narrowly lost to Patel in the Play-Off for Round 1 of the Pro Men’s Category, finishing with a score of 15-13.
Facing international stars like Australia’s Mitchell Hargreaves and Katlynn Hart, Shah encountered a new level of play. Though he couldn’t overcome these top players, he did defeat Latvia’s Nikita Ribakovs 11-7, a victory he credits to his focus on minimizing errors and maintaining shot consistency.
Olympic Dreams and Career Aspirations
Shah’s experience in the tournament culminated in a 16-team event where his team, including Vivan Patel, Meha Shah, and Kruti Patel, achieved runner-up status. Beyond these recent achievements, Shah’s ambitions reach much further. He’s eyeing a professional career with dreams of representing India on the Olympic stage: “I’m on my way to turning pro, and I want to pursue this as my career. I hope to represent India in the Olympics.”
News in Brief: Who is India’s Pickleball Prodigy
Dev Shah, a 16-year-old from Ahmedabad, emerged as a standout at the PWR DUPR India Masters, winning the U-16 Boys Singles and Doubles titles. Dev, who took up pickleball during the pandemic, credits his disciplined 4-5 hours of daily training and his bond with friend and doubles partner Purvansh Patel for his success. He also competed against top players, including his coach Dhiren Patel, and faced international stars like Latvia’s Nikita Ribakovs. With aspirations to turn pro, Dev’s ultimate dream is to represent India in the Olympics.
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