Dipika Pallikal Karthik, born on September 21, 1991, in Kottayam, Kerala, has carved a niche for herself in the world of squash. As the first Indian woman to break into the top 10 in the PSA Women's rankings, her journey is nothing short of inspiring. Dipika was born into a Malayali family with a strong sporting background. Her mother, Susan Pallikal, was a former international cricketer who played in India's inaugural women's Test match in 1976. This sporting heritage undoubtedly influenced Dipika's athletic pursuits.
Dipika turned professional in 2006, but it wasn't until 2011 that she truly began to make her mark on the international stage. After a training stint in Egypt, she returned with renewed vigor and went on to win three WISPA tour titles that year. These victories catapulted her to a ranking of 14 in February 2012, surpassing the previous best by an Indian female squash player. Her breakthrough year was marked by significant victories, including the Orange County Open in the USA, the Dread Sports Series in the USA, and the Crocodile Challenge Cup in Hong Kong. Her performance in the World Open further established her as a formidable player.
In 2012, Dipika continued her impressive run by becoming the first Indian to reach the final of a Silver event at the Tournament of Champions in the USA and the semi-finals of a Gold event at the Australian Open. These achievements helped her secure a place in the top 10 by December 2012. The following year, she won titles at the Macau Squash Open in China and the Meadowood Pharmacy Open in Canada, showcasing her consistency and growth as a player.
2014 was a historic year for Dipika as she, along with Joshna Chinappa, won the women's doubles gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, marking India's first medal in squash at the Games. Despite a tough start to the year, she managed to return to the top 10 in the WSA rankings. In 2015, she continued her success by winning the Canada Winnipeg Winter Club Open.
The year 2016 saw Dipika achieving both national and international glory. She was part of the gold medal-winning Indian women's team at the South Asian Games and the silver medal-winning team at the Asian Team Championship in Taipei. She also won the Australian Open, her 11th PSA title, and triumphed at the National Championship after a four-year boycott due to prize money inequality. Her stand against the disparity in prize money between male and female winners brought significant attention to gender inequality in sports, leading to equal prize money in the 2016 championships.
Dipika Pallikal Karthik's journey in squash is a testament to her talent, determination, and resilience. From breaking into the top 10 to winning multiple titles and fighting for gender equality, she has left an indelible mark on Indian sports. Her achievements continue to inspire aspiring athletes, and her legacy in squash is assured.