How Mumbai’s Monsoons Ignited Armaan Bhatia: Armaan Bhatia recently reflected on his journey in Pickleball, following his impressive achievement at the 2024 PWR DUPR India Masters Pickleball Championship in Delhi. Bhatia has advanced to the finals in three categories—men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles—all scheduled for Sunday, October 27. The 25-year-old will be the central figure in a triple finals event at the RK Khanna Tennis Academy. His qualification in all three finals underscores his rapid climb in the world of Indian Pickleball and solidifies his reputation as a prominent player in the sport.
Final Showdowns Await Armaan Bhatia
For the men’s singles final, Armaan Bhatia will compete against Dusty Boyer from the United States. Partnering with Harsh Mehta, Bhatia is also set to face the formidable American duo, Mitchell Hargreaves and Roman Estarej, in the men’s doubles. Rounding out his challenges, Bhatia and his mixed doubles partner, Roos van Reek, will clash with the Australian team of George Wall and Danni E Townsend in the mixed doubles final. The event promises a thrilling display of international pickleball talent on Sunday evening.
How Mumbai Monsoon Sparked a Passion for Pickleball
In an exclusive interview with PickleballNow, Bhatia reflected on how the rainy season in Mumbai initially sparked his interest in pickleball. Originally a tennis player, Bhatia took up pickleball in 2022 as a way to stay active during Mumbai’s intense monsoon season. “I started playing pickleball for fun during the rains,” Bhatia shared, adding that the covered courts at Khar Gymkhana allowed him to develop a passion for the sport that would soon turn competitive. By August 2023, he had fully committed to pickleball professionally, marking the beginning of his rapid ascent in the sport.
Bhatia’s first tournament, the JND Open in 2021, saw him claim victory in the doubles category. He went on to secure further wins at the Bainbridge Cup in December 2022, solidifying his position as a rising talent in Indian pickleball.
From Tennis to Pickleball: A Journey of Ups and Downs
Bhatia stopped playing tennis in 2020, noting that his transition to pickleball had its challenges. “I’ve had my ups and downs honestly,” he admitted, sharing that while tennis had initially been his sport of choice, pickleball quickly grew on him and became a focal point of his sports career.
Influences and Goals in Pickleball
When discussing his favorite pickleball players, Bhatia named Gabe Tardio and Hayden Patrickman as inspirations. He also identified Danielle Townsend as a respected opponent. Reflecting on the opportunity to play in three finals, Bhatia recalled the last time he reached this milestone and narrowly missed out on winning all three. “We lost in mixed doubles by a whisker,” he recalled. “Playing in my home country, in one of the biggest tournaments, I’m focused on giving my best.”
Off the Court: Food, Music, and Social Media
Off the court, Bhatia is known for his love of food, especially Asian and Mexican cuisines. He also enjoys creating pickleball-related social media content, a creative outlet that aligns with his growing presence in the sport. “It’s a different space, but it aligns with Pickleball,” he said.
Coaching the Next Generation
Adding to his pickleball achievements, Bhatia and his doubles partner, Harsh Mehta, have co-founded Blaze Pickleball in Mumbai, where they coach 200-250 young athletes. “A lot of them are competing and doing really well,” Bhatia shared, underlining his commitment to fostering the next generation of Indian pickleball talent.
News in Brief: How Mumbai’s Monsoons Ignited Armaan Bhatia
Armaan Bhatia has made history by advancing to the finals of three pro events at the 2024 PWR DUPR India Masters. Set to face international opponents in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles, Bhatia’s journey to success began during Mumbai’s monsoon season, when he first picked up pickleball. Transitioning from tennis, he turned professional in 2023 and now co-runs Blaze Pickleball, a coaching program in Mumbai. Off the court, he enjoys food and creating pickleball-related social media content.
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