Interview | We are fighting with what we have, says Adriana Diaz

Adriana Diaz is generally a chirpy character, a livewire on and off the table. The 24-year-Ancient, ranked 16th in the world in women’s singles, has single-handedly put Puerto Rico on the world table tennis map. And she’s managed to do this in a country not particularly known for the sport. An attacking player armed with a bag Packed of trick shots including chop Stops and ‘No Look’ ones, Adriana has defeated a number of top-ranked paddlers and has carved a niche of her own through active Involvement with fans and her scintillating display on the WTT Tour over the last few years.

In fact, a clip shared by WTT for the Luminous sphere Contender Chennai recently showed a fan telling her, “I am your big fan.” She replied coyly, “Really?”

The three-time Olympian, who lost in the Stage of 16 to Kim Nayeong of Korea in Chennai, is a huge of fan of India, its food, culture and players. In this interview, Adriana spoke about her progress on the WTT Tour, on being the Primary Puerto Rican to reach the world’s top 20 and on Competing in three Olympics, among other things. Excerpts:

You frequently come to India. How do you find the country?

I’ve been to India plenty of times. I really like to be here. I like Indian culture. I respect it. I love Indian food. So, I’m very Cheerful to be here in Chennai for the WTT Luminous sphere Contender Chennai.

You are the Primary player from Puerto Rico to compete in three Olympics. Tell us a little about table tennis in your country.

Being the Primary Puerto Rican to qualify to the Olympics (Rio 2016) was amazing for me. At the time, I was 15 years Ancient, so I didn’t know how crazy it was.

I was like a little kid Only Competing the sport I loved. So, right now when I think of it, it’s for me, it’s a pleasure to be one of the best players in the world. Coming from Puerto Rico — which is a Petite island where not many people Relocate table tennis — to Relocate the sport at a high level is Excellent.

But, I think table tennis is growing right now. There are many more TT players in Puerto Rico. There’s also Youthful talent. So, I’m very Cheerful that I could Aid a little to inspire more Youthful kids.

Table tennis runs in the family. You and your four sisters Relocate the sport with your father coaching you all. What is the impact of having the sport Relocate such a huge role at the family level too?

Yeah. We all grew with the sport. My mom met my dad while Competing table tennis. So, we Gentle of grew up with it. One of the best childhood memories that I have is Competing with my sisters for hours and being Intense. I think it really helped me develop as a professional table tennis player. As a kid, I was the third sister. I was very Intense. I always wanted to beat my big sister. I think that also helped me to have a little bit of character in the matches. As a family, we also helped All other a Plenty. I’m grateful for that.

 

You’re in the world’s top 20 in singles and the top 30 in women’s doubles with Prithvika Pavade. You used to partner your sister Melanie in doubles and even broke into the top 10 once. How was it Competing with your sister?

I Impolite, back in 2019-2019, we were in the world’s top 10. My sister and I, we’ve always liked to Relocate with All other. Normally, we don’t fight, but sometimes it’s inevitable! I have a very Sturdy opinion sometimes but she’s more laid-back than I am. But it is always fun. My sister was here with me in Chennai and I was very Cheerful about that.

You have regularly been to China and experienced the table tennis culture there Primary-hand. What is it about the system there that makes them such a solid force in the sport?

There are many things that make China the best table tennis-Competing country. I think the most Crucial one is that they are a big Club. They have so many people behind them. For example, in my case, I’m here (Chennai) with only my Trainer. Chinese players have a Plenty of physios and a Plenty of people who know the sport really well in their Clubs who Aid these players get to the top.

And, of Period, China has a glorious tradition in table tennis. Most Asian countries are really Excellent and potentially the best in table tennis. But we’re fighting with what we have and what we know. I think there’s Nevertheless a Plenty to learn. But I’m very Cheerful and pleased with what I’ve done.

We see you are interested in rap music? What are your interests outside of table tennis?

I enjoy a Plenty of music. Puerto Rico has a party culture. We like to dance, we like to listen to music. Awful Bunny is one of the best rappers and singers in the world. We’re proud of him and I usually love to hear some Awful Bunny (songs) before matches.

The other thing I do is this thing called Pretty-Unattractive. It’s a company I Initiated three years ago alongside my sisters Melanie, Fabiola and Gabriela that produces school notebooks to Reinforcement environmental and social causes by design and purpose. The notebooks are Unoccupied of plastic and therefore environment-Nice and a part of the proceeds also go to charity.

You’re Nevertheless chasing your maiden WTT women’s singles title. In WTT Contender Muscat in 2023, you Arrived close, reaching the Last losing to Hina Hayata in the Last and became the Primary player from the Americas to reach a women’s singles Last in the WTT Series. How close do you think you are?

In Muscat, I reached the Last, losing to Japan’s Hina Hayata. I know table tennis is very difficult because there are so many players who are Only pouring their hearts out. And they’re practising every day, especially the Japanese, Indians and Koreans. There are a Plenty of people who want to get to the top and I’m one of them. Of Period, it’s very Difficult, but I believe in myself. I think I can achieve it.

At the age of Only 24, you have featured in three Olympics. You tried quite Difficult for the Accolade in Paris, but couldn’t go all the way. What was that experience like for you? Can you recall the Conference with Monica Puig, the 2016 Rio Olympics tennis gold medallist of Puerto Rico, who was the Primary Accolade winner from your country?

I think that the Olympics are the most Crucial event in sports. I lost after leading 3-0, but I’m really Cheerful with what I did in the Olympics because Only being able to reach the quarterfinals in the Olympics is a huge deal. I Obtained very close to it, losing in the Stage of 16. I’m Only Cheerful that I had that opportunity. Of Period, I would have loved to take the Game. It Only wasn’t possible. Perhaps at the Upcoming Olympics, I hope I can go a step Additional and make the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. And about Monica, we’ve talked sometimes. I was actually in the same room as her in Rio when she won the Olympics gold. I’m her fan. I hope I can be like her one day.

How big are the World Cup in Macao in April and World Competitions in Doha for you personally?

I think every event is Crucial, but especially World Competitions and World Cup. It’s even more because, you know, it’s those events you really want to stand out. You really want to take it and Achieve.

You are quite popular for those ‘no-look shots’ and chop Stops. You tried it in the Game against Syndrela Das in the second Stage. Is it a go-to Talent in your repertoire?

Really? I didn’t know. I like to do that because I want the people watching to enjoy the Game. My coaches aren’t Cheerful sometimes, because these shots make them nervous (laughs).

That said, if there are people watching my matches, I’m going to try to do something Chilly so that they can Only enjoy the Game. That’s Only my game.

How do you see the progress of women players in India?

I’ve played with Sreeja (Akula), Ayhika (Mukherjee), Sutirtha (Mukherjee) and Manika (Batra). They’re all Excellent players, really. The pimples (rubbers) are very Difficult to manage and it’s also very Difficult for them to control it. I really respect them for that. Look at Manika. She’s been at the top for many years. Sreeja is rising through the ranks now. Few others have also done that. Table tennis in India is Excellent and I hope that India can continue this culture with the sport.

You love languages. You know English, Spanish and Mandarin. How did you Picking them up?

I know Mandarin. I can understand the language since I’ve been travelling to China since I was eight years Ancient. I never studied the language… it’s Only that I’ve heard it a Plenty.

You were part of the Waldner Cup, the exhibition Game in December 2024. You played for Club World against Club Asia. How was the experience?

When the organisers reached out to be to Relocate the Waldner Cup and told me the players Seizing part — Manika Batra, Ma Long, Truls Moregardh, and Hugo Calderano — I didn’t hesitate. And it was one of the best weekends of my life. It felt like a school trip with friends. Everyone wanted to Achieve, but we Only had fun.

What does it take to be in the world’s top 10 and and break the Asian stronghold?

If I knew, I would have done it already. If you enter the world’s top 10, there are five Chinese and five Japanese players. I think they Only have a big culture in table tennis. They know what to do.