"It will be easier for us to play normal WTT and other domestic tournaments after playing these leagues" - Yashaswini Ghorpade on the impact of UTT

Yashaswini Ghorpade is undoubtedly one of India’s most promising paddlers. With an impressive track record at the junior level, where she achieved a career-best ranking of World No. 5 in singles and World No. 1 in the doubles category, she has gone on to show immense potential on the senior circuit.

The 19-year-old made her debut in the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league as part of the Goa Challengers earlier this year and went on to put in a stellar performance to help her team win their second UTT title.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Yashaswini opened up about her experience in UTT 2024, her team’s impressive comeback after a slow start, and her thoughts on the league’s format.

The UTT format, which has several teams playing back-to-back matches, poses its own set of challenges. While Ghorpade admitted that the hectic schedule was tough, she also acknowledged that playing under such pressure would better prepare her for future international competitions.

“Thankfully, we didn't have any back-to-back matches, but for sure it is hectic. Seeing some teams playing back-to-back matches, it is surely hectic also. Playing a lot more matches gives more experience," she said.

"In this format, as I am playing for the first time, there is a lot more pressure as each and every point counts, and the golden point for sure is too much pressure. But it is good to handle such pressure, and I guess it will be easier for us to play normal WTT and other domestic tournaments after playing these leagues,” she further explained.

Despite an initially slow start, the Goa Challengers fought back to reach the final, thanks to the advice and guidance of experienced teammates like Harmeet Desai and Mihai Bobocica. Ghorpade highlighted how they motivated her to remain calm and persistent throughout the tournament.

“Harmeet Bhaiya and Bobo and Sudhanshu Bhai and all the players who had already played UTT before told me that there will be ups and downs. It won't be so smooth, and we have to keep our calm. The same the whole tournament because there was not such a good start, but we are here, so it's a good thing,” she said.

Ghorpade also credited her coaches, Zoltan Batorfi and Subhajit Saha, for their invaluable support. Having worked with Subhajit Saha before through the Oil India team, she was grateful for his continued mentorship.

“The coaches are so good, Zoli and Subhajit Sir. I have known Subhajit Sir from before as being in the Oil India team. Also, Zoli has been great; he has been giving us multiballs; there are so many tips and tricks to learn from him,” she remarked.

“I was really happy being in the defending champions team” – Yashaswini Ghorpade on being brought in by defending champions Goa Challengers

Being picked up by the defending champions in her first UTT auction was a dream come true for Ghorpade. She expressed her excitement about playing for a team led by Harmeet Desai and the chance to be part of a title-contending squad.

“Yes, of course I was really happy being in the defending champions team and also playing finals this year, and being with Harmeet Bhaiya's team is amazing,” she exclaimed.

Reflecting on her first season at UTT, Ghorpade expressed her excitement about her team’s journey to the final.

“Starting off the first season and playing finals is a great thing, and it was great matches and great experience playing in the qualifying and then playoffs. And then playing with every one of these teammates was great,” Ghorpade shared.

With her debut season of UTT behind her, Yashaswini Ghorpade has gained a wealth of experience that she will undoubtedly carry into her future tournaments. Her recent and rather remarkable transition to the senior circuit has undoubtedly showcased her immense potential as a top contender.