Averry Chew

"All it takes is being 1% better than you were yesterday."

Meet Atif Sheikh

Sport: Pickleball
Nationality: Indian
Hand: Right
Style: Aggressive Net

Atif Sheikh didn't seek out pickleball — it found him. A curious sound echoing through a park led him to a sport he'd never heard of. One hour of hitting with a stranger, one off-hand compliment, and a competitive fire was lit. Now representing Osaka on the international stage, Sheikh is turning heads with an aggressive net game, supernatural anticipation, and a mindset built around relentless daily improvement.

"On the court, I'm a competitor who never backs down. I stay composed on the outside, but inside I have a strong drive that pushes me to fight for every single point. I love the challenge, the grind, and the feeling of earning every win. Off the court, I enjoy being around people, keeping things positive, and making sure everyone around me is having a good time. I also have a creative side — I enjoy acting and writing, which gives me a completely different way to express myself."

Finding Pickleball

"I found pickleball completely by accident. I was walking through a park one day and kept hearing a sound that didn't quite match a tennis ball. I got curious, followed it, and found a group of people playing on smaller courts with paddles I'd never seen before. I walked up and asked what they were playing — it was pickleball."

"One player was practicing alone and invited me to hit with him. We played for about an hour, and at the end he told me, 'You can be really good at this.' I never saw him again, but that moment stuck with me. Once I entered my first tournament and felt that same competitive fire from my tennis days, I was fully committed."

Inspiration

Sheikh points to two very different figures who've shaped how he thinks about competition, resilience, and staying focused on his own path.

Rafael Nadal: "The only way of finding a solution is to fight back, to move, to run, and to control that pressure." That mindset has always resonated with him — staying composed under pressure and continuing to push forward no matter the challenge.

Shah Rukh Khan: "I have no competition. I am a horse with blinders on." To Sheikh, that represents the importance of staying focused on his own lane, blocking out distractions, and committing fully to his craft.

Playing Style

"Very aggressive. I like to get to the net as quickly as possible and take time away from my opponent, putting them under constant pressure. Anticipation is equally central to my game — I read what my opponent is about to do and counter it early, so I can take control of the point from the very first shot. The combination of speed and foresight is what drives my results."

What People Get Wrong About Pickleball

"Two things: skill development and footwork. From the outside, pickleball can look deceptively simple — but competing at a high level demands precision, consistency, and decision-making that only comes from serious, deliberate training. And footwork is massively underrated. At the top level, being in the right position for every single shot is critical. Good footwork is what lets you stay balanced, react quickly, and execute under pressure. Without it, even great technique breaks down."

"Good footwork is what allows players to stay balanced, react quickly, and execute under pressure."

What Makes Him Unique

"My anticipation and speed. I can read where my opponent is going to hit the ball early, which helps me get into position before they've even made contact. That keeps me one step ahead throughout entire rallies and makes my game very difficult to play against. People also tell me my game looks effortless — and I think that comes from being efficient with my movement and staying balanced through every shot. There's no wasted energy."

Pre-Match Mindset

"Before every match, I take five minutes to meditate and calm my nerves. During that time I visualize different scenarios that might come up in the game and see myself handling each one successfully. It grounds me, sharpens my focus, and makes sure I step onto the court feeling prepared — not just physically, but mentally ready for anything."

"I visualize different situations that might come up and see myself handling them successfully."

The Osaka Family

"It means everything. Representing a brand that's truly dedicated to athletes is extremely important to me. It motivates me to keep growing as a player and gives me another reason to work hard — to make the people supporting me proud. The gear is also some of the best I've ever worn. Being comfortable and looking stylish both on and off the court is the perfect complement to my game."