Indian tennis has been waiting for a fresh spark, and at just 21, Vaishnavi Adkar has delivered it. In a sport where history is heavy and expectations even heavier, the young player from Pune has carved her own chapter. Her run to the final of the ITF Women’s Open W100 in Bengaluru was not just a personal achievement; it was a moment that stirred Indian tennis fans across the country. Entering the tournament as a wildcard and ranked World No. 690, Adkar was not among the favourites. Yet, by the end of the week, she had become the first Indian woman since 2009 to reach the singles final of a W100 or higher event, a milestone last achieved by Sania Mirza.

The Historic Run at  Bengaluru  W100

The W100 level on the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour is fiercely competitive, often featuring players ranked inside the world’s top 150. Adkar’s path to the final was anything but easy. She defeated Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee, Japan’s Mai Hontama, and Australia’s Taylah Preston—all higher-ranked and more experienced opponents. Each victory strengthened her belief. Her composure under pressure and her powerful backhand became talking points throughout the tournament. 

She spoke later about her “secret strategy,” hinting at smart tactical adjustments and mental discipline that helped her navigate tough moments. In the final, she faced Belgium’s Hanne Vandewinkel, ranked World No. 124. The result was one-sided, a 6-0, 6-1 defeat. But scorelines do not always tell the full story. For Adkar, the week had already been transformative. She earned 65 valuable WTA ranking points and $8,147 in prize money, while her live ranking jumped by more than 200 places to around World No. 466. For Indian tennis, the bigger victory was symbolic—a reminder that the pipeline of women’s talent is alive and ready.

Breaking a 46-Year Wait on the Global Stage

Adkar’s 2025 season has been nothing short of historic. At the 2025 Summer World University Games, she claimed a bronze medal in the women’s individual event. With that, she became the first Indian woman to win a tennis medal at the World University Games. Her bronze also ended a 46-year wait for an Indian tennis medal at the event since Nandan Bal won silver in 1979. For decades, that achievement stood alone. Adkar’s medal bridged generations. In her own words, after a tough previous year, that week restored her self-belief. 

From Seven-Year-Old Beginner to National Champion

Born on December 14, 2004, in Pune, Adkar picked up a tennis racket at the age of seven. Like many Indian athletes, her journey began on local courts, driven by family support and personal passion. She steadily climbed the junior ranks, achieving an ITF junior ranking of No. 115 and becoming India’s No. 1 Under-14 player. Her preference for hard courts suits her aggressive baseline game. Over the years, she developed a powerful backhand that has become her signature weapon. She combines it with solid movement and mental composure—qualities that stood out during her Bengaluru campaign. 

In 2024, she won both singles and doubles titles at the ITF W15 tournament in Ahmedabad, partnering with Pooja Ingale in doubles. These smaller ITF events often go unnoticed by mainstream fans, but they are the building blocks of a professional career. Every title added experience and resilience. Her victory at the Fenesta Women’s Nationals further cemented her status as one of India’s brightest prospects.

The Road Ahead

At World No. 466 and climbing, Adkar stands at a crucial stage of her career. The challenge now is consistency. Breaking into the top 300 and eventually the top 100 will require sustained performances against higher-ranked opponents across surfaces and continents. But the signs are promising. She has shown she can defeat established names. She has proven she can handle pressure. Most importantly, she has demonstrated belief in herself. Indian women’s tennis has long searched for a new torchbearer. While comparisons to past legends may come naturally, Vaishnavi Adkar’s story is uniquely her own. From Pune’s courts to international finals, she is not just chasing rankings; she is inspiring a new generation. And perhaps, beneath every powerful backhand she strikes, lies the quiet confidence of a player who knows that history is only the beginning.