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Of late, this young tennis prodigy from Mysuru has been making headlines with her impressive performances in both national and international tournaments. At just 14 years old, Padmapriya Ramesh Kumar has displayed immense potential to become one of the country’s top tennis players — a dream she is actively chasing. Currently ranked No. 6 in the Under-14 category in India, Padmapriya recently clinched the Singles title at the U-14 National Series Tournament and finished as the runner-up in Doubles.
She also emerged victorious in both Singles and Doubles at the Asian U-14 and Junior Ranking Tennis Tournament 2025 held at Malancha Niwas, Agartala, and at the Under-14 Asian Tennis Championship held in Bahrain. Additionally, Padmapriya was selected to represent India at the ‘ATF U-12 Team Competition 2024’ organised by the Asian Tennis Federation at the National Training Centre, Beelie Arena, Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
Daughter of Dr. P. Ramesh Kumar, Conservator of Forests (Project Tiger), Mysuru and Dr. Malathi Priya, Conservator of Forests (Mysuru Circle), Padmapriya trains under coach Raghuveer Ponnuswamy in Mysuru. She is a student of Class 8 at Excel Public School.
Star of Mysore caught up with the talented young tennis player while she was preparing for her upcoming National Series tournament in Hyderabad. Excerpts…
By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers
Star of Mysore (SOM): When did you start playing tennis?
Padmapriya: I started playing tennis when I was around six years old in Ballari at the Police Gymkhana. Initially, I had joined badminton classes, but I wasn’t happy with the coaching.
Later, I took up tennis as an extracurricular activity and started enjoying it because the coach was really good. After a few months, I noticed a lot of improvement and that’s when I began playing professional tennis.
SOM: As a young tennis player, do you draw inspiration from any of the players?
Padmapriya: Of course! I draw a lot of inspiration from Aryna Sabalenka, who is currently ranked No. 1 in women’s tennis and from Novak Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles.
SOM: How do you manage your daily routine?
Padmapriya: I make sure to keep my routine simple. From 6 am to 7.30 am, I focus on fitness — either at the gym or on the track, depending on the day. My tennis practice is from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm at the Raghuveer Tennis Academy, located in the Maharaja’s College premises.
SOM: Majority of the tournaments you play are on synthetic courts. How difficult or easy is it to adapt when you practice on clay courts?
Padmapriya: Fortunately, I adapt quickly to synthetic courts. I find it more comfortable to play on synthetic surfaces compared to clay. Synthetic courts offer better movement, whereas clay courts can be slippery and increase the risk of injury.
SOM: What do you aspire to become once you grow up?
Padmapriya: Ever since I started playing tennis professionally, I’ve always dreamt of becoming one of the greatest players in the sport. Currently, I’m competing in junior-level tournaments, but my goal is to start playing more International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments soon and break into the top 20 rankings in the world.
SOM: Do you follow a special diet to stay fit and be tournament-ready?
Padmapriya: Actually, I haven’t started a strict diet plan yet. For now, I follow a regular diet that includes chicken and eggs, which are rich in protein. I also have a specially prepared powder made from a mix of various nuts and dry fruits.
SOM: Do you prefer playing Singles or Doubles?
Padmapriya: I’ve always prioritised Singles tournaments. Of course, I also play Doubles, but my main focus is on Singles.
SOM: You’ve been performing exceptionally well in recent tournaments. How does that feel?
Padmapriya: It feels really good! Over the past month, my game has improved significantly. Travelling and participating in tournaments both in India and abroad have given me great exposure, and that has helped me a lot. It’s been an amazing experience and I’m very happy with my recent performances.
SOM: How do you manage both studies and tennis?
Padmapriya: Fortunately, I’ve been doing well in my studies. When I miss school due to tournaments, my friends share notes with me so I can catch up. I also carry my textbooks and notebooks on tours and study during free time. My school and our Principal, K.G. Mathew, have been very supportive. My parents are my biggest strength — they even help me with my studies, especially during exams.
SOM: Thank you and all the best!
Padmapriya: Thank you so much, sir.
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