Two Indian-origin teens, one Gold Ball final, two completely different tennis dreams

On August 15, 2026, Shristi Selvan emerged victorious in the USTA Under-16 National Championships girls' singles final, earning a Gold Ball from Billie Jean King. Her final opponent, Aarini Bhattacharya, had her sights set on a different goal altogether. Both teenagers are Indian-origin and share a common foundation - they train at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in Maryland.

Shristi's coach, Paula Coyos, notes that Shristi's play is aggressive and all-court, with a free-minded approach that allows her to add her own creative variations. Paula, who has mentored Shristi since the age of nine, compares her to a younger sister she once coached, Shivaani, who also had an affinity for tennis. However, unlike her sister, Shristi's parents deeply believed in her talent and supported her ambition.

Aarini Bhattacharya, on the other hand, has a different perspective on her tennis career. Her parents are critical of her aspirations to become a professional tennis player and instead want her to focus on academics and securing a place at an Ivy League college. Both Shristi and Aarini train together at the same location, and while their dreams are entirely different, they support each other's goals.