Indian tennis player Sahaja Yamalapalli is building momentum early in the season after a strong showing last week, where she recorded a couple of impressive wins and reached the quarterfinals before bowing out in a closely contested match. Speaking after the tournament, Sahaja shared her thoughts on her recent performances, offseason preparation, ranking goals, and upcoming schedule.

A Positive Week on Court

Reflecting on her results, Sahaja was pleased with how she competed throughout the week.

“I think it was a good week. I played well,” she said. “I did my offseason before that, so I was training a lot and made a lot of improvements in my game. That definitely helped.”

She emphasized that the work she put in away from competition translated well once match play began, giving her confidence moving forward.

Preseason Training in Thailand

Sahaja explained that her preseason looked different this year due to prior commitments in India.

“I was doing my fitness during the leagues because I had to be in India, so it was tough to do a proper tennis preseason,” she explained.

To address that, she traveled to Pattaya, Thailand, where she connected with a coach and focused on tennis-specific training.

“I came here a few weeks right after the league and trained here, and then we went to Nonthaburi to play the tournament.”

The combination of fitness work in India and tennis training in Thailand helped her feel prepared heading into competition.

What It Takes to Break Into Grand Slam Qualifying

Currently hovering close to the Grand Slam qualifying cutoff, Sahaja was candid about what she believes has held her back—and what needs to change.

“For me personally, I needed stability in my team,” she said. “Mostly I was on and off with a coach and without a coach, and I think that hurt me a little bit.”

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Sahaja is focused on consistency off the court as much as on it.

“What I wanted to do better starting this season is to have a coach who is constant, so we can make progress week after week after every tournament.”

She believes having someone consistently observing her game, making adjustments, and guiding her development will be key to breaking through in the rankings.

“I started off well this year, so I hope it continues and we do good things together.”

Upcoming Tournaments and Schedule

Sahaja’s immediate plans include a short training block followed by competition back home.

“I’m going to train for a couple of weeks and then go play the Indian tournaments,” she said. “There are some good ones, so my plan is to play those.”

As for March, her schedule is still being finalized.

“I have to see—maybe some tournaments around Europe—but I don’t have a plan yet.”

Looking Ahead

With improved preparation, renewed coaching stability, and a clear focus on progress, Sahaja Yamalapalli is optimistic about the road ahead. As she continues her push toward Grand Slam qualifying and higher rankings, the early signs suggest a promising season in the making.