— File Photo: R. Ragu

STAR IN THE MAKING: Dipika Pallikal has fired the imagination of squash fans with her striking good looks and quality game.

New Delhi : She has turned down a movie offer, endorses products and is gifted with good looks. Dipika Pallikal, provided she doesn't go the Anna Kournikova way, can well be the next best thing in women's squash in the country.

Someone who often takes the glass-walled court in shades, flaunting her dazzling earrings and with the air of a star-in-the-making, everything is spectacular about the Chennai girl and that includes her frequent questioning of the referee's call.

Hailed as the next Joshna Chinappa, Dipika says she is happy that people expect her to do well. The Asian No. 1 player in the under-15 category said, ``Of course that means there is the burden of expectations on my shoulders but that keeps me motivated and drives me towards my goal."

A good friend

``Joshna is senior to me and is a good friend. I can't emulate her overnight, she is much more experienced. At this stage, I don't want to spoil my junior career and maybe when I turn 18, I'll go full throttle on the senior circuit. The Asian Games tops my priority list this year and I would like to go step by step,'' she said.

Joshna, on her part, also believes that Dipika is a quality player but points out certain areas she needs to work on.

``She is a good player and has some good shots as well. But I think she has to move a little faster on the court. She has to be tough and work hard and overcome the distractions as well,'' Joshna said.

Another aspect of Dipika's game is her volatile mood. Her coach, Cyrus Poncha, however, blames it on her tender age.

``After all she is just a 14-plus girl and she is bound to get upset if things don't go her way. She has time on her side and she will get mentally tougher with every tournament,'' he asserted.

Dipika has been a familiar face on the European junior circuit and has won the German Open, Dutch Open, French Open, Australian Open and Scottish Open.

And her squash prowess has something to do with the fact that she hails from a sport family.

``My mother (Susan) opened bowling for the Indian cricket team, her mother played volleyball for India and her father was a national level basketball player. And that's not all because my dad's father held a long jump record. So sports runs in our veins and it is only natural that I'm a sportsperson as well,'' she revealed.

Making news

Off the court too, Dipika has been making news, be it turning down a movie offer which would have pitted her along with mega star Mohan Lal or endorsing products. ``Yes, there was a movie offer and they read out the story and asked if I was interested. But I'm a squash player first and that remains my priority. So we turned it down but of course, had I not been a player, I would have acted,'' she was candid in her confession.

Dipika in fact is no alien to the camera, for she has done some commercials as well. During the SAF Games, Colombo was abuzz with the player whose larger-than-life signboards could be spotted at virtually every crossroads.

``I did that for Ole, an energy drink from Pepsi. But it's aimed at Sri Lanka only and hence can't be seen here,'' said the youngster who also endorses ICICI.

Dipika has been taken under the wings of Mahesh Bhupathi's Globosport and she has another surprise up her sleeves. ``Come next month and you will see my personal website as well,'' she added, with a smile. — UNI

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