WTT Contender 2025: Fully-fit Sreeja Akula confident ahead of run-up to World Championships

Sreeja Akula, India’s second-highest-ranked paddler in the world at 33, only behind Manika Batra, hasn’t had a great start to the new year (2025), losing early in all five tournaments she has played in.

The 26-year-old from Hyderabad, however, insisted she’s injury free and is looking forward to the main draw of the WTT Star Contender Chennai beginning on Thursday.

“Yes, definitely we (Indians) have a very good chance to play quarterfinals in this event. Last year, I was the one who played quarterfinals in Star Contender Goa,” she said.

It’s not just the Star Contender Chennai that Sreeja is looking at, she is also aiming to do well in the World Cup in Macao (from April 14 to 20) followed by the World individual championships in Doha (from May 17 to 25).

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“So, after the Olympics, I was injured (hip) and then it took some time for me to come back, but now I’m completely fit and I’m looking forward for a great 2025. And the next big tournament is going to be the World Championships and the World Cup,” she said.

On pairing up with G. Sathiyan in mixed doubles here, Sreeja said, “We’ll just see how it goes. We plan to play together for the long term,” she said.

Sreeja credited the Japanese paddlers for their quick reflexes and the Chinese players for their power. “For me, I am working on my consistency and receiving of serves. The key is mental strength and belief in yourself. Early in my childhood, I used to feel it was not possible to beat the Chinese. Gradually, as I played more international tournaments, the more exposure I got, I started believing that I can also do it,” she said.