Harriet Dart, representing the Hyderabad Strikers, clinched her first Tennis Premier League (TPL) title, guiding her team to a spectacular triumph in Season 6. The British tennis star with WTA ranking of 61 in women's singles, showcased exceptional resilience and skill throughout the week-long tournament, leaving an indelible mark on her debut TPL campaign that took place at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.
This was Hyderabad Strikers’ third TPL title, and 28-year-old Harriet Dart also won the Best Female Player of the Tournament for her performances alongside her teammates, Vishnu Vardhan and Benjamin Lock.
Speaking after the victory, Dart expressed her delight in bringing the trophy home for her team. She said, “It’s my first time here, so I’m very happy that we were able to bring the trophy home. I couldn’t have done this without my team, the team owner, Rajdeep and the CEO, Satvik. It’s been an incredible experience for me this week.”
Reflecting on her season and the pressure of playing in a team environment, Dart highlighted its significance as a game-changer in the team’s campaign. “To be honest, I quite enjoy playing under pressure. I think people can either succumb to the pressure or play really well under pressure. I’ve been in some really tough situations in my career, so that experience counts, and being able to have the support of the team during the match definitely helps,” she said.
Dart also shed some light on how she adapted to the unique TPL format, with each point mattering in the context of the match. “I thought it (the format) wouldn’t suit me because I play a very aggressive style, and I do make some mistakes when I keep going for my shots. This week, I was able to rein in a little bit and enjoy the experience,” she noted.
On understanding the importance of giving her team a good start, she mentioned, “Every day, I was starting for the team, and I knew I had to put out a good start to give the team some momentum. Everyone kind of rolled with it, and we got better with each day.”
The charcoal surface at the TPL added a fresh layer of challenge, but Dart took it in her stride. Speaking on the task of playing on a new court, she stated, “It’s interesting. I didn’t even practice on it (the surface) until we played our first match. It’s a slow surface, but a court is a court to me. It’s been a fun experience, and I appreciate all my fans in India,” she said.
Harriet Dart’s experience in Mumbai extended beyond the tennis court. “It’s been an amazing experience for me, something that’s so new as well. I’ve been to India twice before, but it’s my first time in Mumbai. We got some sightseeing done this morning and have done some really nice things here. It’s nice to not just go from the tennis court to the hotel,” she shared.
The weather was a significant challenge for some of the foreign players at the tournament. Speaking about those challenges and how she overcame them, Dart concluded, “The weather has improved a lot. Today, it is way cooler than it was previously. I was suffering a little bit throughout the week, but it’s been a really enjoyable week.”
