This sprightly, petite player is someone we should watch out for in the future. Not at all bogged down by her illustrious cousin Dipika Pallikal, Sunayna Kuruvilla is the new star in the Indian squash circuit. The recently crowned junior national champion doesn’t feel the pressure of carrying Dipika’s legacy forward. Coming from a family of sportspersons, it was her cousin Dipika who introduced her to squash. “Dipika took me for a squash camp when I was a kid. I didn’t exactly understand what the sport was or how it was played. I was nine years old when I started playing squash. Initially, I didn’t take the sport seriously but as time went by, I became deeply involved, and now I am super attached to it. That’s when I started training and playing for tournaments,” states the 17-year-old.
With a strong backing from one of India’s celebrated squash players, Sunayna doesn’t take things for granted — “Having Dipika by my side is a great plus. Most of the time, she travels. But whenever she is free and in town, we catch up and train together. She gives me a lot of tips. Also, I make sure to call her every time before a tournament. Talking to her gives me a lot of confidence. She is super supportive and encourages me a lot.”
Sunayna’s forthcoming tournament is the World Women’s Team Championship, in Paris from November 26. Currently training for one of the biggest championships in her career, the squash player says that she can easily manage her studies and the sport. A first-year student of Visual Communication at MOP Vaishnav College, she quips, “Being extremely supportive of sports, my college encourages me a lot. I study during my free time and make sure that I write my exams on time.”
So, what about college life while playing tournaments? “I miss college. But my friends update me on what’s happening via voice messages, so that I don’t miss the college fun!” The family’s support is very important for Sunayna. “I have a huge family and most of them are connected to sports. All of them were very supportive of me entering squash,” she says. The young player is quick to deny having any pressure on her shoulders to reach Dipika’s level. “I will never be able to keep up with what she has done in her career so far. She is my guide and mentor. Whenever I go for tournaments, the other players say, ‘You are lucky to have a sister of that stature on your side.’ And I feel proud about it. Having said that, no matter what, you need to play hard in the court.”
Talking about her daily routine, Sunayna says, “I wake up at five and head to the gym to do a few intense workouts. By 7.30 am, I go to the Indian Squash Academy for the day’s training. After an hour’s practice, I head home and then to college. Post that, I go directly for training by 4 and am home by 6. After that, I study and sleep early, to wake up on time the next day. To sum it up, I have no time to breathe (laughs)!” We wonder whether this routine is tiring for her. “Not at all. It has become an enjoyable schedule for me now,” she winks.
As the conversation veers towards unwinding with Dipika off the court, she comments, “We are seven cousins, who have grown up together. Every weekend, we get together and catch up on movies and good food (yes, we do have our cheat days). We get along like a house on fire.” When we ask her if, Joshna Chinappa or Dipika is her favourite, she diplomatically replies, “I love watching both play. Joshna is a great player and I adore her hardwork. She moves swiftly on the court. I’ve grown up watching Dipika playing the sport — I admire her for her racket skills and her wrist movement is extraordinary.”
Though the youngster’s progress has been gradual, she is eagerly waiting for another tournament in January — British Open. “Right now, I am looking forward to playing with Dipika and others in Paris. And once it is over, we’ll be heading for the January match,” signs off the young talent.
