(Cover Photo – Deepthi Indukuri/KSLTA)
After making waves on the hallowed grass of SW19 as a 2025 Junior Wimbledon finalist, US-born Ronit Karki makes his first entry into Indian soil where he’s qualified for the main draw of the ATP 50 Bengaluru Challenger with two straightforward wins.
Now a rising star in the global game, Karki is navigating the grueling transition from the junior ranks to the pros, where fitness and mental grit are the currency of success. Following a gritty performance in unique conditions in Bengaluru, Ronit sat down with Indian Tennis Daily to discuss the “privilege” of being the man to beat, sharing a court with Carlos Alcaraz, and the slow, steady process of building momentum on the pro tour.
Q) Thanks for talking to Indian Tennis Daily. What are your thoughts on today’s win?
Ronit Karki: I think I played pretty solid. I didn’t give away too many free points and stuck to the game plan and executed pretty well. That’s all I can really ask for. I had good focus throughout.
Q) You played your first match yesterday against Aradhya an Indian junior player. Any thoughts on that match and the experience of playing a fellow countryman?
Ronit Karki: It was a tough match because he’s an up-and-coming junior and he was probably pretty excited to play me. He maybe had that vision of taking these guys down, so it was really fun to play with that pressure. Honestly, it’s a privilege to have that kind of pressure.
Q) Take us through the flow of the match. It seemed like a battle of momentum.
Ronit Karki: I think it was a fun matchup because, you know, it was a pretty close first set – only one break – and then I got into a little bit of a groove in the second. But he kind of made me step up my level in order to take that second set.
Q) This is your first time playing in these specific conditions. What are your thoughts on the environment and the court today?
Ronit Karki: Obviously it’s pretty hot and humid. Regardless of how the match goes, you’re gonna be pretty physically tired usually. But the points don’t get too long because we’re in a little bit of altitude. It’s pretty unique conditions, so it’s pretty fun to play.
Q) How often do you visit India?
Ronit Karki: I haven’t seen family (in India) in a long time, since 2019. So I was a lot different back then. I was like 11 years old. So yeah, it’s good I get to see them after such a long time and also it’s great to have them just watching and supporting me.
Q) You are now transitioning from juniors to the pro. How is that experience been and what are the changes that you have seen game-wise?
Ronit Karki: I feel like everyone in the pros is just super fit and everyone’s pretty physical too, so you’re not really going to outhit too many people.
And also just the focus like it’s just people are like more mentally tougher and it just gets harder and harder that way. And it’s just been a slow process of improving that every day and just trying to get better just a little bit every day and slowly it’s been adding up.
I’ve been gaining some momentum and playing a little better. When I first started, it was pretty tricky though, but I think I’ve been transitioning pretty well right now.
Q) You were involved in an exhibition with Carlos Alcaraz. How was that experience?
Ronit Karki: Being around with such players was definitely fun because it was such a unique experience. You know, as a junior, you don’t get to do too many exhibitions like that. I also got to share it with my good friend Jack (Satterfield).
And, yeah, it was just super fun to just go have fun and play in front of the crowd. The only pressure was just putting on a good show, not really like, on how good or bad I’m playing. So that was definitely fun.