21 February,2022 12:16 PM IST | Chennai | SR Suryanarayan
Dipika Pallikal Karthik
Back in 2018 when Dipika Pallikal Karthik suddenly âdisappeared' from the squash scene many wondered why. There wasn't even a hint of an injury, so what could have happened to this leading light of Indian squash? But she had her reasons for the "break off" from serious squash.
And now she tells us, after becoming a mother of twin boys, that building her family with popular cricketer Dinesh Karthik was a key reason. Also, among others, was the desire to initiate her interior designing venture, which she launched along with her friend, a qualified architecture engineer from America.
"We have already processed six projects so far," Dipika tells mid-day. However, squash has always been close to her heart. Having been initiated into the sport at the MCC courts in Chennai as a little girl, Dipika built on her talent and skills at the Indian Squash Academy which came up around the dawn of the millennium. Not surprisingly, she excelled and eventually turned pro. She was the first Indian to enter the Top 10 world rankings and is also first squash player to win an Arjuna Award. With 11 PSA Tour titles, she earned a respectful place on the world stage. However, what boosted her image along with compatriot Joshna Chinappa, another top-flight player and current leader in Indian women's section, was the doubles gold medal win at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. That was one of India's biggest moments in the sport.
Eight years later, Glasgow beckons again as Dipika makes a comeback as she pairs up with Joshna to take part in the World Doubles Championship in April. "That [World Doubles Championship] is my first target now," says Dipika, as she juggles her time between her kids, her business and of course, hours of training to get back to peak fitness. "My family is my biggest support. I have my cousin [Sunaina Kuruvilla, a squash professional] to spar with whenever she's in the city. Then, there's India's leading men's player Saurav Ghosal [her brother-in-law] to have a hit with when he is around," she says.
The Glasgow outing will give Dipika a self-assessment before the challenges posed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July and then the Asian Games in Hangzhou (China) in September. "Doing something for my country is my aim," she says, adding, "The professional circuit can wait." At 30, Dipika has a good four to five years more to showcase her ability on the squash court if she can manage a great comeback and also help the country grab a few more glorious moments in the sport.
