Sonam Bali Pickleball Triumph Story: Sonam Bali, a former India basketball player who competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, has made a successful switch to pickleball. In just seven months of training, she won the mixed doubles title at the Coimbatore Pickleball Open, proving her skills in a new sport.
From Basketball to Pickleball
For nearly 10 years, Sonam Bali was a well-known name in basketball. She was the only female player from Karnataka in the Indian squad at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. “That was the highest level an Indian could play,” she said. “I was the only female player from Karnataka in that squad. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Injuries forced her to step away from basketball, but her love for sport stayed strong. Seven months ago, her cousins encouraged her to try pickleball at a court in Indira Nagar, Bengaluru. “I had never played a racket sport in my life. We entered a tournament just for fun, but we lost every game. That’s when I told myself — I need to come back, get better, and actually win matches,” she said.
Adapting Her Skills
Sonam Bali had no background in tennis or badminton, but her years of basketball gave her an edge. “Basketball taught me movement, reflexes, and patience. Those helped me adapt faster to doubles and mixed doubles. Playing a team sport made it easier to understand dynamics with partners on court,” she explained.
At the Coimbatore Pickleball Open, she impressed both players and fans with her calmness and teamwork. She went on to win the mixed doubles title. “In mixed doubles, men often dominate 80% of the points. Many women get frustrated. But I’ve learned patience. If my partner is in rhythm, I let him play while staying ready for every ball. It’s still a team effort,” she said.
Balancing Work and Sport
Alongside pickleball, Sonam Bali runs two businesses in luxury real estate and wedding events. “It’s tough, but I finish most of my work by 4 p.m. so I can train in the evening. Weddings are seasonal; real estate is year-round. Having a small team helps me strike that balance,” she shared.
Basketball Still Close to Heart
Despite her new passion, Sonam Bali admits basketball remains special. “I’ll always be a basketball player first. I even wear my basketball jerseys while playing pickleball,” she laughed. “But I don’t miss basketball anymore. Right now, pickleball has taken over. I want to play it all day.”
Why It Matters
Her story shows how athletes can reinvent themselves after setbacks. Sonam Bali’s journey from representing India in basketball to lifting a pickleball trophy highlights resilience, adaptability, and passion. With pickleball growing fast in India, her success could inspire more athletes to take up the sport.
News in Brief: Sonam Bali Pickleball Triumph Story
Sonam Bali, who represented India in basketball at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, has now found success in pickleball. Just seven months after starting the sport, she won the mixed doubles title at the Coimbatore Pickleball Open, crediting her basketball background for her quick progress and strong teamwork.
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