Arun Adithya Pickleball Championship Debut: Chennai lawyer Arun Adithya will compete in India’s first PWR 1000 pickleball tournament, The Rise Up Championship – Pickleball By The Bay, from September 26 to 28 at VGP Golden Beach Resort in Chennai. Balancing law and sport, the 31-year-old sees this event as a historic moment for Indian pickleball.
Balancing Law and Sport
Arun Adithya, who also holds a master’s degree in sports management, says pickleball fits into his busy schedule. “I’ve always been passionate about playing and competing. Even during my tennis days and now with pickleball, the competition is always exciting. Of course, the law profession is time-consuming, but pickleball is largely weekend-oriented, so it helps me manage both,” he said.
He credits his legal profession for enhancing his game. “Pickleball is like any other racket sport; you’re constantly solving problems. In fact, the problem-solving is much faster here than in tennis. Law requires quick thinking too, so both complement each other. Staying calm under pressure in law helps me in court, and what I learn from pickleball also helps in life,” he explained.
The Significance of the Tournament
For Arun, the tournament holds special meaning. Chennai is hosting the country’s first PWR 1000 event, marking a landmark for Indian pickleball. “I think this has to be the biggest tournament Chennai has ever hosted. And also, it’s by the sea. For those of us who’ve been playing here for years, we’ve never had the chance to play in such a setting. The venue looks amazing, and it’s going to be a great experience for players and fans alike,” he said.
He views pickleball as more than a hobby, emphasizing its growth potential. “The beauty of pickleball is that it’s a community-oriented sport. The skill curve is less compared to other racket sports, so anyone can pick up a paddle and enjoy it right away. That inclusivity opens up doors for sponsorship, marketing, events, and viewership. After badminton, I’d say pickleball is one of the biggest community sports to ever be created.”
Looking Ahead
Arun Adithya believes pickleball has strong growth prospects. “As much as it’s a community game, at the highest level you need top fitness, agility, and quick thinking. That makes it exciting both to play and to watch. If it makes it to the Olympics, the landscape will change dramatically. And since the sport is still young in India, anyone starting now has the chance to be a path-setter for the future.”
This weekend is about history as well as competition, with pickleball making its Indian debut by the bay.
News in Brief: Arun Adithya Pickleball Championship Debut
Chennai lawyer Arun Adithya will compete in The Rise Up Championship – Pickleball By The Bay from September 26 to 28 at VGP Golden Beach Resort. The event is India’s first PWR 1000 tournament. Arun balances his legal career with sport and sees pickleball as a growing community game with vast potential.
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