Vaishnavi Adkar’s dream run continued as she broke into the WTA top 400 for the first time in her career. After winning the ITF W35 Kalaburagi title, the Pune-born star jumped 71 places to a career-best No. 397 in the latest rankings. More significantly, she moved within touching distance of India’s No. 1 spot, with Sahaja Yamalapalli just six places ahead at No. 391.
The 21-year-old started the year ranked No. 643, but has made a remarkable rise following her strong runs in Bengaluru and Kalaburagi. In Bengaluru, she became the first Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2009 to reach a W100 final. She then went one step further in Kalaburagi, clinching the title and earning USD 4,860 in prize money.
HOW DID VAISHNAVI PERFORM IN KALABURAGI?
Vaishnavi delivered a breakthrough performance in Kalaburagi, capping off a superb week by winning both the singles and doubles titles. Seeded third, the youngster claimed the singles crown after beating compatriot Ankita Raina 7-6(3), 6-4 in an all-Indian final on March 8. It was a composed display from Vaishnavi, especially in the tightly contested opening set, before she took control in the second.
In the semifinals, Vaishnavi stunned top seed Jasmijn Gimbrere, ranked No. 399 in the world, with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win to book her place in the final. She also completed a memorable double in Kalaburagi, partnering Ankita Raina to win the doubles title with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Soha Sadiq and Akanksha Nitture.
RISE OF VAISHNAVI ADKAR
Born on December 14, 2004, Vaishnavi is regarded as one of the country’s brightest young prospects. Trained by Kedar Shah at Bounce Tennis Academy, she began playing at seven and climbed to an ITF junior ranking of No. 115, while also becoming India’s No. 1 Under-14 player.
In 2024, she won her maiden professional singles title at the ITF W15 Ahmedabad, where she also claimed the doubles crown. Her breakthrough came in 2025 when she won bronze in women’s singles at the Summer World University Games in Germany, becoming the first Indian woman to medal in tennis at the event.
With her performances in Bengaluru and Kalaburagi, Vaishnavi has shown her potential to make a lasting impact on the international circuit.
