Shilpa KP: From Rural Karnataka to the World’s Top 100 in Wheelchair Tennis

In the heart of Mandya, a rural district in Karnataka, Shilpa KP grew up in a humble farming family. Her parents, both farmers, worked tirelessly to make ends meet, and sports were never a part of their daily lives. Yet, fate had different plans for her.

In 2010, an opportunity arose for Shilpa to participate in a wheelchair tennis tournament in Bangalore. She had no prior experience with the sport, nor did she go with any expectations—she simply wanted to learn. But what happened next changed her life forever.

Despite being a complete newcomer, Shilpa won the women’s category in that very tournament. That victory sparked a realization: she had the potential to pursue tennis professionally. With the support of her family, friends, and sponsors, she traveled to international tournaments in Thailand and Australia. Competing against top players, she saw firsthand what it would take to make it on the global stage. The exposure to high-level competition fueled her ambition, pushing her to train harder and dream bigger.

Indian Tennis Daily had the opportunity to interview Shilpa at the 2022 Mumbai Open. At the time, her journey was already inspiring, but her story remained largely untold. Now, in 2025, she has made history as the first Indian—male or female—to break into the top 100 in wheelchair tennis. Looking back, her rise has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Coming from a small village, Shilpa had never experienced the kind of respect and recognition that sports brought into her life. “Before tennis, people didn’t look at me the same way,” she says. “Sports gave me respect, integrity, and a sense of individuality. I’m proud of who I am now.”

A turning point in her career came when she joined the Indian Wheelchair Tennis Tour. Before IWTT, tournaments were largely unstructured, and professional guidance was lacking. But with IWTT’s support, Shilpa was introduced to essential elements of a professional tennis career—coaching, physiotherapy, fitness training, and structured methodology. Over the past years, her association with IWTT has been instrumental in elevating her game to an international level.

Like many athletes, Shilpa’s journey has not been without challenges. Managing the financial side of her career has been one of the biggest hurdles. Fortunately, IWTT covers many of her professional expenses, including gym training, nutrition, and coaching. Even so, she knows that competing at the highest level requires additional support.

Despite her remarkable achievements, she remains focused on improving her game. “The competition at the international level is very tough,” she admits. “To take my game to the next level, I need disciplined coaching, structured training, and proper nutrition.”

Her journey from a small village in Karnataka to the global tennis circuit is a testament to her grit, talent, and relentless pursuit of excellence. But for Shilpa, this is just the beginning. She continues to train with the dream of reaching even greater heights, proving that no matter where you come from, with determination and support, anything is possible.