The W35 Women's International Tennis Tournament was my first time covering professional tennis.

And I can confidently say — it pushed me in ways other sports hadn’t.

From the outside, tennis looks calm and controlled.

From behind the camera, it is intense, technical, and extremely disciplined.

Getting the Opportunity

I received permission to cover the tournament thanks to Richa, the Administrative Head at Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA), who helped facilitate my access.

People like Bhupinder Solanki and Vineet Pundir also guided me through the process — not just in permissions, but in understanding tournament etiquette.

Tennis is not just about photography.  It’s about respecting the space.

One of the biggest highlights for me was meeting Kamesh Srinivasan from The Hindu — a legendary photojournalist who has been covering tennis across India for years.

Sitting beside him and observing how he works taught me a lot — about timing, restraint, and understanding the rhythm of the sport.

I also met Jai Singh, a passionate tennis enthusiast known for his page Tennis Freeze. Conversations with people who genuinely love the sport always add perspective.

The Biggest Learning – Court Etiquette

Tennis has strict rules for photographers.

You must maintain absolute silence. Even a small sound during a serve can distract a player.

You cannot move during rallies. You can only reposition between sets. You must stay out of the players’ line of sight. This was new to me.

In sports like polo or cricket, you can move more freely.  In tennis, discipline is everything.

Standing still. Observing quietly. Anticipating without movement. It sharpened my awareness.

Technical Challenges I Faced

This tournament tested my adaptability.

1️) Varying Lighting Conditions

Foggy winter mornings. Bright sunny afternoons. Shifting shadows across the court.

Each session required changes in settings.

2) Different Skin Tones

With international participation, exposure adjustments were important. I had to tweak white balance and exposure constantly to ensure natural skin rendering.

3) Fog + Sun Contrast

Delhi winters are unpredictable. Some mornings had haze, reducing clarity and contrast.

Thankfully, my past experience covering cricket, polo, and athletics helped me adjust quickly.

Showcasing Creativity

This tournament allowed me to push creatively.

I experimented with:

• Slightly slower shutter speeds for motion blur during forehands

• Creative framing through the net

• Isolated emotion shots after long rallies

• Reactions between points
  
  

Tennis is not just about the swing. It’s about:

• The clenched fist after winning a point

• The frustration after a double fault

• The silent focus before a serve

I made sure to capture beyond the action.

Rising Stars I Witnessed

The tournament featured emerging Indian and international players.

🎾 Siri Dandu

Once ranked number two among India’s under-18 women’s players and currently ranked 324 in the ITF Junior Rankings worldwide. She has trained at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy.

Watching her play, you can see the potential.

I was particularly inspired by her father, Mahesh Reddy, who travels with her and supports her journey. They have largely financed tournament expenses themselves, with occasional sponsors.

One important conversation I had with him changed my perspective:

Sponsorship does not always have to be massive.

It can be:

• Rackets

• Shoes

• Gear replacements

• Flight tickets

These small supports go a long way for athletes representing India globally.

🎾 Ksenia Efremova

Runner-up at this tournament, she later went on to win the Australian Open Junior Championships. Watching her here felt like witnessing the early chapter of something big.

🎾 Shruti Ahlawat

Shruti was a wildcard entry but made her mark defeating several players ranked much higher than her. Recently she reached the final of the W15 Gurugram ITF tournament.

🎾 Vaidehi Chaudhari

Won the W35 Solapur title in December 2025.

Respect for the Officials

Another thing I deeply observed was the professionalism of the umpires and the match officials.

Tennis can get heated. Players sometimes disagree with decisions.

But the way the umpires handle tense moments calmly — hats off to them.

Their composure keeps the game intact.

What This Tournament Did for Me

This wasn’t just my first tennis assignment.

It helped me:

• Improve silent anticipation

• Understand court discipline

• Adapt quickly to dynamic lighting

• Capture emotion beyond action

• Experiment with creative shutter techniques

It strengthened my versatility as a sports photographer.

From polo grounds to cricket pitches to wrestling akhadas — and now tennis courts — each sport is shaping me differently.

A Personal Note

Covering the W35 Women’s International Tennis Tournament wasn’t just about photography.

It was about understanding the ecosystem around athletes — families, sponsors, officials, media, and fans.

It reminded me that talent exists everywhere.

Sometimes it just needs support.

And sometimes, it needs someone to document the journey.