Anuja Maheshwari’s pickleball journey began, quite simply, because someone needed a mixed doubles partner. Two years on, the 28-year-old from Nashik finds herself ranked among India’s top women, having represented the country internationally and carved out a distinct identity as one of the sport’s most driven new-age athletes.
“I first picked up a pickleball paddle simply because someone needed a mixed doubles partner. What started as a chance game soon turned into passion,” the Dilli Dillwale player told WPBL as the second season of the competition is underway at the Jio World Garden in Mumbai.
That passion was fuelled by a foundation built elsewhere. Maheshwari comes from a strong tennis background and brings with her over a decade of coaching and playing experience. The technical base, footwork, and net instincts transferred quickly into her pickleball play. Within just six months of taking up pickleball, she was representing India on the international stage at the Asian Games in Taiwan, an accelerated rise that speaks as much about adaptability as it does about temperament.
“In pickleball, I rediscovered that spark of competition. The thrill of competing and the joy of improving, that’s what keeps me pushing forward,” she said.
On the court, Maheshwari is unapologetically aggressive. A right-hander who favours the drive, she looks to take control early in rallies, using quick hands and tennis-inspired volleys to dictate play at the net. While her instinct is to attack, she places equal value on partnership, communication, trust, and covering for her teammate in pressure moments.
Her results also back up the intent. Maheshwari has secured multiple wins for India in international competitions, reached the singles semifinals at the Monsoon Championship 1.0 with a win over a top Indian player, and continues to feature prominently on the domestic circuit. She currently holds a top-three national ranking under the All India Pickleball Association and is ranked No. 1 in singles within the AIPA framework.
What makes her story resonate beyond results is the balance she maintains off the court. Maheshwari is also a practicing lawyer, a dual identity that shapes her approach to sport.
“Being a lawyer teaches discipline, patience, and strategy. That mindset carries straight onto the court. You don’t quit when things get tough,” she said.
Beyond competing, she plays an active role in growing the sport. As an official DUPR Collegiate Ambassador, mentor, and promoter, Maheshwari is deeply invested in building pathways for younger players, particularly those coming from smaller cities like her own.
“My goal is to compete at the highest level nationally and internationally. But just as important is helping others pick up the paddle and believe they belong in this sport,” Anuja added.
In a rapidly evolving Indian pickleball landscape, Anuja Maheshwari represents a rather new archetype, one that is committed to growing the game as much as mastering it simultaneously.
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