Squash champion lakshmi shruti settipalli has played with the world's best at some of the most prestigious tournaments, but remains a regular class 12 student, who is equally intent on her books. Dc met the player who says squash has given her life focus.

I was a very lazy child. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I'd be a professional player. There is no advantage or disadvantage (in starting late). It's in the love for the sport and the hard work that makes a player.

From playing in the U.S Open to pro squash tournaments in Australia, while also doing what it takes to be student of Class 12, Lakshmi Shruti Settipalli sets a shining example. She has already achieved at 16 what many young people perhaps only daydream about, having played against some of the biggest names is squash all over the world. She has played in the Finland Open, the Slovakia Open and the Swiss Open too. She is living her dream, she says in this interview, for the sport has not affected her life as a student.

It was only at the age of 13 that Lakshmi took to squash seriously, but is the last three years, she has managed to raise her world ranking to 162. She plans to raise it up higher next year, hoping to make her way in the top 50.

She happened upon the sport quite accidentally. She was intrigued by it and wanted to try it out. “The first time I saw squash being played was at my club. All I could see was some players locked in a room, trying to hit the ball by standing on the same side. It really intrigued me. And now this is where I am, “says the champion player.

Playing a sport was not part of the game plan at all. “I was a very lazy child. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I’d be a professional player," she says, realising that 13 was quite a late age at which to start. “There is no advantage or disadvantage. It’s in the love for the sport and the hard work that makes a player. I can’t name any one person who influenced me. Everyone I have met, or played against, has made a great impact on my life. A person, good or bad has given me an experience, and I am thankful to them for it, both in and out of squash. But my family deserves most of the credit for inspiring me and standing by through it all,” she says. “A dad who is encouraging, a mother who is my pillar of support, I am truly blessed to have them by my side,” she adds.

Family support would have been vital for her succeed, for the last three years spent reaching her current world ranking have been round of journeys, hotels to courts, travel schedules to practice sessions. "Though squash came into my life pretty recently, the last few years have been very intense, especially working my way up to 162 in the world ranking. It has taken a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice and this is only the beginning for me. It’s still an ongoing journey.”

Managing her life as a student and her professional career in squash is a tightrope walk. “It is the hardest balance ever. But I've been blessed with an understanding school, supportive teachers who have helped me throughout. I do miss classes, but I have always made sure that I make up the schoolwork because I do love my studies. Economics is a subject I really like, but apart from my professional career, I would like to learn psychology. Playing squash helps me focus Lakshmi,” Lakshmi Says.

Focus apart, sport teaches life lessons. “Words can't explain what squash means to me and what it has given me,” says Lakshmi. "It is a privilege to play the sport. I want to be the best player I can be, and put as much as passion into it as I possibly can. To me, each player is unique and has their own style, so there are a lot of people who have inspired me in different ways. My coaches have played a large role in my career. I will always be indebted to them. Every coach in my life will be special. They have made me the player I am today,” says Lakshmi.

She would like to strive to the best of her abilities over the next five years “and go back to the sport that I love. The squash scene has been improving lately, but it still doesn't have the funds or awareness that it deserves. As for my professional career, I have taken part in the US Open, British Open, Swiss Open, and have also been playing pro tournaments in Australia. I want to make my way into the top 50 within a year from now" Lakshmi says, on a positive note.

Squash maybe the centre of her life at the moment, but she does keep up her other interests too like hanging out with friends, which she does not manage to do too much as the travels incessantly on tournaments. "Dancing probably tops my list of the things I love to do. I enjoy watching my favourite TV shows, spending time with my dogs, Casper and Zuchcarro. On campus I’m just another girl and that's how I like to keep it. I also like to travel, especially to Spain and Thailand. I am also a big foodie, I love Italian food and sushi,” says Lakshmi, in parting.