Athilla Miasara Malaysian Pickleball Journey: Malaysian pickleball player Athilla Miasara Azizul Azhar faced a tough challenge at the inaugural PPA Tour Asia Panas Malaysia Cup, exiting in the first round of both women’s and mixed doubles. The 20-year-old Kuala Lumpur native admitted the competition level was far higher than anything she had experienced before.
Tough Matches Against Top Players
Athilla Miasara partnered with Japan’s Mayu Ito in women’s doubles but lost 11-0, 11-1 to Anna Bright and Roos Van Reek. In mixed doubles, she teamed with Will Chung and fell 11-2, 11-2 to Danni-Elle Townsend and Eric Oncins at the 9Pickle Setia Alam on Thursday.
“I felt nervous because it was Anna Bright. Everyone knows her and she’s in the world’s top five, but it was an honour to play against her and Roos. I felt good, but the way they play is very different from what I’ve experienced before. I’ve never faced someone at such a high level,”(Athilla Miasara).
Learning From the Experience
Despite the lopsided scores, Athilla Miasara valued the opportunity to test herself.
“I just had fun. We know the level is big, it’s different, especially because in Asia we are only just starting out. To play against her is something special. When I went to the US a few months ago, I didn’t get to play against players like this.
Having them come here and getting the chance to face them was a great learning experience. Even though the score looked one-sided, we had some good rallies and some good shots. If it was before, I don’t think I could have managed that.”(Athilla Miasara)
Rapid Rise in Pickleball
Athilla Miasara only started playing pickleball in December 2023 but quickly became Malaysia’s top-rated women’s player with a Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) of 4.323 in singles and 4.799 in doubles.
“I played a few tournaments and won. Then in May last year I competed in an international event in Vietnam and won the intermediate category.
That was when I realised I could go further, because with my tennis background, it was easier to adapt. After that, it all just took off. Now I’m the highest DUPR (women) in Malaysia,”(Athilla Miasara).
Looking Ahead
Athilla Miasara will next compete at the Vietnam Cup in Da Nang from September 30 to October 4. Her goal is to continue learning from top-level opponents as she develops her game and gains more international experience.
News in Brief: Athilla Miasara Malaysian Pickleball Journey
Athilla Miasara Azizul Azhar exited early at the PPA Tour Asia Panas Malaysia Cup but gained valuable experience against world-class opponents. Malaysia’s top-rated women’s player, who only began pickleball in December 2023, now looks ahead to the Vietnam Cup in Da Nang from September 30 to October 4.
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