Rishabh Gupta Pickleball Journey Kolkata: Rishabh Gupta, 29, is one of Kolkata’s first pickleball players and has helped the sport grow rapidly since 2023. A fitness professional and coach, he runs an exercise studio while representing India. Gupta is now competing at top events like the Arena One Open in Kolkata.
Early Days in Kolkata Courts
Rishabh Gupta recalled, “I had basically gone on the day when they had started the courts. In a way, I was one of the few people who played pickleball first in Kolkata.” The first courts opened in December 2023, and few people initially knew about the sport.
Since then, pickleball has expanded quickly. Gupta explained,
“Back in those days, very few people knew about the sport. Over time, many people got into it, switching from tennis or starting from scratch. One is the social aspect — you can play with different age groups, categories, and genders.
The other is accessibility. To play tennis, you need a club membership, which isn’t possible for everyone. Now you have over 50–60 courts in Kolkata open to the public.”
National Representation and Experience Gap
Rishabh Gupta became the first player from Kolkata to represent India in pickleball. He said local players still trail other cities in experience:
“Pickleball here is barely two years old. In places like Mumbai, it began in 2008 and gained momentum around 2017–18. So they are ahead of us in terms of time spent and number of players.”
Arena One Open and Future Goals
With the Arena One Open attracting top talent, Rishabh Gupta hopes for a strong showing.
“It’s one of the biggest tournaments the city has seen. Winning would be special. It would give me recognition, especially with the president of IPA, Mr. Giren Patel, coming here. It would feel nice to do well in front of them.”
Rishabh Gupta continues to balance coaching, fitness, and competitive play while inspiring Kolkata’s growing pickleball community. His journey reflects both personal achievement and the sport’s rapid growth in the city.
News in Brief: Rishabh Gupta Pickleball Journey Kolkata
Rishabh Gupta, 29, became Kolkata’s first pickleball player in 2023 and now represents India. He runs a fitness studio while coaching and competing in major events like the Arena One Open. Gupta highlights the sport’s growth in Kolkata, where 50–60 public courts now allow players of all ages and genders.