Vaishnavi Adkar, India’s rising tennis star, draws strong inspiration from Aryna Sabalenka’s aggressive style of play as she aims to climb higher in the professional ranks. Following a remarkable showing on the ITF circuit, she is determined to build on her success and challenge the best while holding Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title close to heart.
Admiring Novak Djokovic’s Endurance and Grand Slam Ambitions
Vaishnavi Adkar has long idolized Novak Djokovic, a legendary figure whose resilience and tenacity continue to inspire her. At 21 years old, she firmly believes Djokovic still has the capacity to surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, urging that the Serbian star’s longevity and competitive spirit set a standard for all players.
“I do believe so,” Vaishnavi replied in a flash when asked if Djokovic could steer clear of Margaret Court’s Grand Slam tally, before leaving no room for doubt as to her stance on the matter.
“He should, he definitely can and he will,” she concluded in a tone that mirrored the adulation. “Since I started playing, I’ve always looked up to him. The way he just competes on court, even now at his age, it’s just, it’s very inspiring and motivating.”
Modeling Her Game After Aryna Sabalenka’s Aggression
While Djokovic fuels her inspiration off the court, Vaishnavi Adkar models her on-court approach after the dynamic aggression of Aryna Sabalenka, the WTA World No. 1. Sabalenka’s fearless and assertive gameplay resonates closely with Vaishnavi’s own attacking instincts, helping her develop confidence during tight match situations.
“Sabalenka is someone who ‘I’ve been really looking up to over the past few years because of the way she plays, and her style of game is something that I can somewhat relate to. Because she has an aggressive game style, and that is how I like to be on court,” she stated.
Breakthrough Performances Marking a New Chapter in Indian Women’s Tennis
Vaishnavi’s rise has been defined by impressive victories on the ITF circuit, including a stunning run at the W100 tournament in Bengaluru where she defeated three seeded players consecutively. Focusing intently on execution over the rankings of her opponents, she emphasized tactics and strategic play as key to her victories.
“In the second round, I played against a seeded player and getting that win, especially in the third set in a pretty tight match really made me believe in myself even more. After that, I just did not think much about who I was playing, or what ranked opponent I was getting on court with,” Vaishnavi Adkar observed.
“It was more about the tactics and the strategies that I had decided with my coach. It was also about being able to implement them as best as I could on the court. I think I did that really well and that’s how I was able to get those wins,” she disclosed.
Her quarterfinal opponent, Taylah Preston, had notably defeated 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu earlier in the year, although Vaishnavi was unaware of this fact at the time. Her focus remained on adapting to the present conditions and match circumstances without overthinking historical records.
“My coach did watch her (Taylah Preston) play in the previous round, and he just told me the things I needed to be focusing on and to keep going for my shots as well. I didn’t really think about her history but it was more about how she was playing in that tournament. Because in tennis, every day is a different day, and the conditions are different in different places,” Vaishnavi Adkar explained.
“The balls, the altitude, everything makes a difference. So it was important for me as to adapt to the situation and the conditions there and play accordingly. So that’s what we focused on,” she declared.
Fitness and Mental Fortitude Strengthen Performance Under Pressure
Long and gruelling matches tested Vaishnavi’s stamina, including a nearly three-hour battle against Mai Hontama in a tightly contested second round, yet her fitness training ensured quick recoveries and sustained performance throughout the tournament.
“Obviously, it was a challenge. But over the last few months, I’ve been working quite a lot on my fitness. So I could feel a difference during the tournament. Even though I played some long matches, I was able to recover pretty quickly and be ready for the next day. So it didn’t really affect me that much,” the self-assured player said.
Her accomplishment in Bengaluru positioned her as the first Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2009 to reach the final of an ITF W100 event, demonstrating a significant breakthrough in Indian women’s tennis.
Historic World University Games Medal Marks a Significant Milestone
Earlier success at the 2025 World University Games in Germany also highlights Vaishnavi Adkar’s trailblazing journey. By advancing to the semifinals and defeating Germany’s Sina Herrmann 6-1, 6-4, she earned a tennis medal for India after 46 years, and became the first Indian woman to stand on the World University Games podium.
“The Games were in Germany, and they had amazing clay courts. Right from the very first match, I was just so happy with the conditions there. The clay courts were one of the best that I’ve played on. It was a very special tournament for me because I ended up getting a medal there, and it was the first one for the country, and it really meant a lot,” she recalled with pride.
Preferences for Playing Surfaces Reflect Versatility and Adaptability
Vaishnavi finds equal comfort on hard and clay courts, enjoying the challenge and style each surface demands. Although less experienced on grass, she appreciates its fast-paced points and the tactical variety it offers.
“I like both clay and hard courts. I’ve played a couple of tournaments on grass in juniors, but I don’t have that much experience on grass. I did enjoy playing on grass because the points there are pretty fast and quick. So I did enjoy that,” she recounted.
“I pretty much enjoy playing on clay as well, especially in Europe. It’s fun, I would say, and my game style also suits the clay courts there. So it’s a tough one for me to choose my favourite surface,” Vaishnavi Adkar clarified.
Ambitions Set on Higher Rankings and Major Tournaments
Building on her top 500 world ranking breakthrough, Vaishnavi aims to enter the top 400 in the coming months and compete in more high-level tournaments, which may open doors to prestigious events like the US Open. With the Asian Games approaching and the Billie Jean King Cup in sight, her goals for 2026 remain ambitious and well-defined.
“Now that I’ve cracked the top 500, the next goal would be cracking the top 400 in the next few months and start playing more of the higher-level tournaments now that I can get entry into those. We also have the Asian Games coming up. That would be one of my biggest goals. Also, making the Billie Jean King Cup team for this year. Yeah, those three would be my biggest goals for the season,” the record-breaker summed up.
Having missed playing at Roland Garros in 2021 due to COVID-19, Vaishnavi’s aspirations to debut at the US Open—her favorite Grand Slam—remain strong. Her determined rise offers fresh optimism for Indian tennis fans, as she pursues greater achievements on the global stage.
1968 – Nirupama Vasant
2005–2009 – Sania Mirza
And then… silence.
For 17 years, no Indian woman reached a singles final at this level.
In 2026, at the Bengaluru Open (W100), Vaishnavi Adkar changes that.
This isn’t just a final.
It’s belief returning. 🇮🇳🎾#IndianTennis pic.twitter.com/8jxZRIuGw2— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) February 21, 2026
