Hold Court

On a whirlwind trip to London, PRIYANKA KAPADIA gets squash champion DIPIKA PALLIKAL to divulge everything from her fitness regime to wardrobe MVPs

Seventy-two hours, an invigorating seven-kilometre run and a yoga session sum up Adidas’s adrenalin-packed itinerary in London, where 31 of the country’s finest athletes came together to unveil the label’s hot-ticket sportswear staple—the Z.N.E. Pulse Hoodie. Among the more-than-impressive group of sportsmen that descended upon the capital was Dipika Pallikal, star of India’s squash scene. Pallikal, an Arjuna Award and Padma Shri award recipient, was also the first Indian to break into the world top 10 women’s squash rankings. Vogue catches up with her, fresh off a bronze medal at the WSF World Doubles Squash Championship.

On athleisure: “I love wearing my sports gear on and off-court since it’s all I travel with—sometimes, I’m in my gear even at a fine-dining place. Take the Z.N.E Pulse hoodie—it’s comfortable! That’s all an athlete wants to feel when getting onto court.”

In her suitcase: “Adidas Original Superstar sneakers in white, Z.N.E. hoodie, hair straightener, make-up kit and racquets.”

Style icon: “When I was younger, I really looked up to Maria Sharapova; she brought to the court fashion that looked both great and comfortable.”

Wardrobe MVPs: “Ripped jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch, a white shirt (worn oversized, knotted in the front or layered), Rockstud flats or heels from Valentino and Bottega Knot bags in eye-popping hues.”

Sartorial commandments: “Just be comfortable. I have always said this: it can be the most basic look—a vest and blue jeans—but if you are comfortable in it you will own it.”

Fashion fixation: “Classic Chanel handbags.”