Historic Victory for Indian Tennis in Chengdu
Indian tennis player Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha achieved a significant career milestone on Friday by winning the prestigious Asia-Pacific Wild Card Playoff for the 2026 Australian Open alongside his Thai partner Pruchya Isaro. The triumphant moment unfolded in Chengdu, China, where the second-seeded duo displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament.
Dominant Performance in the Final
The Indo-Thai combination demonstrated their superior teamwork and strategy by defeating the Japanese pair of Yusuke Kusuhara and Shunsuke Nakagawa with a convincing 6-4, 6-3 victory in the championship match. This straight-sets win not only secured them the title but also guaranteed their spot in the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open doubles competition in Melbourne.
Speaking exclusively to The Times of India from Chengdu, an emotional Poonacha shared his thoughts on this career-defining achievement. "All the sacrifices, all the effort, all the titles, all tournaments, everything is to get into a Grand Slam. It's the first stepping stone to be a top player," expressed the 30-year-old athlete. He further emphasized the significance of this opportunity, stating, "So, I think to be in that league... given the ranking, we are not even close to the Australian Open, but given the chance, we made sure we gave our best."
Overcoming Challenges and Building Partnership
The journey to this remarkable victory wasn't without its obstacles. Poonacha and Isaro, who began their partnership in August, arrived in Chengdu with growing confidence after reaching the final of the ATP 100 Challenger in Japan just two weeks earlier. However, the championship match presented a significant challenge as Isaro took the court with foot pain that threatened to impact their performance.
Poonacha revealed the crucial conversation that preceded their final match: "We spoke, and he (Isaro) said, 'this is the last tournament, last match of the year. So we had to give our best.' And, we gave our best." This determination and mutual understanding proved decisive in their victory against the Japanese opponents.
Season of Transformation and Future Prospects
The Bangalore-based Telangana native, who is projected to finish the year ranked 146 in world rankings, acknowledged the difficulties he faced earlier in the season. "The first half of 2025 was difficult as I was not winning many matches," Poonacha admitted. However, a strategic mid-season reboot with his Croatian coach Borna Bikic helped transform his performance and approach to the game.
This victory represents more than just a tournament win for Poonacha—it marks his entry into the Grand Slam arena, a dream shared by tennis professionals worldwide. The successful partnership with Isaro demonstrates the potential of international collaborations in tennis and opens new opportunities for both players on the global stage.
As Poonacha prepares for his Australian Open debut in 2026, this achievement serves as inspiration for aspiring Indian tennis players and highlights the growing presence of Indian talent in international tennis competitions. The win also underscores the importance of wild card tournaments in providing opportunities for players outside the immediate ranking cutoff for major tournaments.
