Divyanshi Bhowmick is India’s most interesting in her age class, ladies’ u-15, and second finest in u-17. At the International degree, the 14-year-old from Mumbai is progressing on the proper monitor to be amongst the high in the world’s charts.
After winning the ladies’ u-15 crown in the Asian youth championships, she bagged one other main title in her fledgling profession not too long ago by winning the u-19 ladies’ title in the WTT Youth Contender in Almaty. In reality, Divyanshi has had an excellent International season in the youth class in 2025. She has gained 5 WTT titles in the u-19, 17 and 15 classes.
Divyanshi rocked the senior class when she, as a qualifier, outplayed Giorgia Piccolin of Italy, then ranked 64 in the world, in the first spherical of the WTT Star Contender in Chennai in March this yr.
An attacking participant on each flanks, Piccolin is a paddler tough to take care of at the finest of instances. More so, when a 14-year-old is taking over the Italian.
Armed with a long-pimpled rubber on backhand and common inverted rubber on forehand, Divyanshi turned the tables on the Paris Olympian with a show that had chops, blocks sprinkled with dollops of aggression on the forehand facet. The win was no fluke as she continued to make waves, winning the ladies’ u-15 singles crown in the Asian youth desk tennis championships held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) from June 26 to July 2, beating three high Chinese gamers on the manner.
Coached by her father Rahul Bhowmick at Kandivali (Mumbai) and Anshuman Roy (in Bengaluru), Divyanshi is eager to play more senior tournaments on the International circuit and deal with taking part in more occasions on the home entrance, hoping to interrupt into the world’s high 100 in ladies’s part (she is 194 now) earlier than later. Her speedy purpose is to carry out well in the World youth championships in u-15 part to be held in Romania from November 23 to 30.
“After winning the Asians, I am more confident of doing well at the World Championships this year” stated Divyanshi.
Excerpts:
How essential was the ladies’ under-15 crown, and the way did you put together for it as the second seed?
I had ready actually well for this match. We had an India camp earlier than this match in Bengaluru. And over there, all the coaches and the head coach, Massimo Costantini, actually helped. And being the second seed, I hoped to play in the last. And to win gold for India after 36 years was actually particular for me. B. Bhuvaneshwari, the former India paddler, was the first to take action.
You had crushed three Chinese together with Zhu Qihui in the last, how was the feeling?
I was going step-by-step. In the quarter-final, I was taking part in in opposition to Huize Yang (China). I was confident as I had crushed her earlier. Yes, I had gone with a plan on what to play. I did focus on with my coach and my dad, and executed it. Even the semi-finals was a extremely robust one, as a result of the final two instances I had misplaced to her (Ziling Liu). I went one step at a time with each Chinese. In the last in opposition to Zhu Qihui, I had confidence that I would beat her as a result of I had defeated her earlier additionally (WTT Youth Contender in Bangkok).
What was the technique in opposition to Zhu?
The match was actually robust. I did what we had deliberate however she compelled me to alter it. However, I tailored to the scenario and I gained. Beating one Japanese and three Chinese on the manner was actually particular.
India misplaced to Japan in the quarterfinals of the staff occasion which was earlier than the people. Did the defeat prod you to do well in singles?
In the teams, the entire staff performed actually well. We defeated Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Kyrgyzstan to high the group. But with Japan, seeded third, we couldn’t win (dropping 1-3).
We (India was seeded fifth) all felt unhappy after the match as a result of we had been anticipating that we might win. It was fairly an in depth match. I misplaced the fourth rubber. I obtained the additional motivation to win the singles occasion after the defeat to Japan.
The final two years (2024-25) have been actually good. You gained the u-15 and u-17 titles in Vadodara and in addition reached six finals, 4 semifinals and 6 quarterfinals in each the sections….
I really feel very joyful. Right now, I am ranked World No. 3 in the world in ladies’ u-15. That provides me enormous confidence. I wish to develop steadily and do well in the tournaments I compete whereas additionally having fun with the expertise and dealing on my weaknesses. And after each match, of course, I sit with my coaches and my dad to work on the errors which I made and attempt to overcome them in the subsequent match.
The final two years have been good. Last yr, I missed out on the Asian Championships. And even in the Worlds, I misplaced in the pre-quarter finals. So, final yr, it was okay. But this yr, it began very nice with me winning the Asian Championships and doing well on WTT youth tournaments. I need to work tougher for the World Championships (to be held in Tokyo) now.
Any particular coaching you took earlier than the Asian youth championships?
Before the Asian Championship we had been in the National camp, with head coach Massimo Costantini serving to the staff. I targeted more on my forehand and the must assault.
Your sport revolves round chops and blocks on the backhand and assault on the forehand. How do you propose to enhance your sport consciousness additional?
Along with the chops and blocks, I want to enhance my assault. With the long-pimpled rubber, I do observe the twiddling act (twiddling is switching racquet between the lengthy pimple rubber (backhand) and an everyday plain rubber on forehand), permitting one to play more aggressively and making the opponent tough to learn the spin of the ball) like Manika Batra, who’s my idol. I am but to grasp it (twiddling).
You did create ripples, by beating a high 100 participant in Giorgia Piccolin in the first spherical of the WTT Star Contender in Chennai early this yr. Do you propose to play in more senior occasions?
This yr, I am going to attempt to play more senior occasions alone bills, with the assist of my Foundation, Dani Sports.
And of course, in the home circuit, attempt to be in the high 10 and even high eight in the ladies’s class. In the home season final yr, I simply performed one or two tournaments in my class. This yr I am going to play in all of them.
At 14 years and eight months, faculty performs an essential half for Indians particularly. How do you juggle teachers {and professional} sports activities?
Studies are essential. This yr, I have my Std. tenth board exams. So, sure, I am taking part in my matches after which looking for time to do on-line tuition additionally, as a result of that’s necessary.
What was coach Anshuman Roy’s affect in your sport?
I’ve been coaching with him for the final two years, however I additionally prepare in Mumbai with my dad and at any time when I have time, I go to Bengaluru. He has actually helped me enhance, make these adjustments and enhance my backhand and block and every part. Yasashwini (Ghorpade), one of India’s high paddlers, additionally trains with Anshuman sir.
In Mumbai, I prepare with my dad. I have a robotic at my home and plenty of observe companions come to coach with me. The robotic has been of huge use to me. It retains giving balls at a sure velocity, it has helped my consistency.
Divyanshi together with her coach Anshuman Roy.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
What has been the most memorable win in your profession?
It was winning the silver medal in the 2023 World youth Championship with my accomplice Jennifer Verghese in ladies’ u-15 doubles in Slovenia, and it was a historic victory.
And, I turned World No. 3 in under-15 singles, I am additionally now. And the subsequent huge second was winning double gold (clinching the u-15 & u-17 singles title) in the WTT Youth Contender at house (Vadodara) this yr.
And even defeating Italy’s Giorgia Piccolin in the first spherical of WTT Star Contender in Chennai this yr was an awesome second. And then taking part in 4 video games (3-1) with Shin Yubin, who was seeded fourth in the match’s second spherical.
When I look again, I felt good as I was 10-9 up in the fourth sport in opposition to Shin Yubin, earlier than I misplaced. It was particular, however. It gave me loads of expertise.
How do you see the future panning out?
I must work tougher, particularly this yr for the ITTF World Youth Championships to be held in Romania from November 23 to 30. After winning the Asians, I am more confident of doing well at the World Championships u-15 class this yr. I wish to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
How a lot has Manika Batra been an inspiration for you?
She is my idol and I actually look as much as her sport and perspective. I haven’t obtained the probability to speak a lot to her. But by seeing her sport, I attempt to study as a lot as I can.
Does Divyanshi have mates in the TT circuit?
Yes, it’s Syndrela Das. We are finest mates and in addition play as a pair in doubles.
