Balancing two demanding worlds has never been easy, but for Arun Adithya, passion for sport makes it worthwhile. “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 in an exclusive chat with Pickleball Now, days before The Rise Up Championship – Pickleball By The Bay tournament that will be held from September 26 to 28 at the scenic VGP Golden Beach Resort in Chennai.
The 31-year-old lawyer, who also holds a master’s degree in sports management, sees pickleball as much more than just a hobby. For him, the game represents a growing industry with vast 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.”
This week’s tournament holds special significance for Arun as Chennai plays host to the country’s first PWR 1000 event at the scenic VGP Golden Beach Resort, making it 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.
Interestingly, Arun credits his legal profession for sharpening his sporting instincts. “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 in detail.
Looking ahead, Arun sees pickleball as a sport poised for significant growth. “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.”
For Arun, this weekend is about more than just competing; it’s about being part of history as pickleball by the bay makes its Indian debut.
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking:
PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages.