From Grand Slams to Pickleball, Tyra Calderwood’s leap to Chennai Super Champs

The Chennai Super Champs have added a player with a unique pedigree to their roster Tyra Calderwood, once the youngest Australian to compete in the Australian Open Junior event, aged just 13.

From featuring in all four Grand Slam junior tournaments to now stepping into the world of professional pickleball, Tyra’s journey is one of reinvention.

A standout in Australian junior tennis, Tyra’s career highlights include competing in all four Grand Slam junior tournaments and excelling in doubles with a WTA ranking.

After transitioning into coaching, she found herself nurturing young talent in Sydney.

However, her competitive spirit remained alive, and in early 2024, Tyra discovered pickleball, a sport that reignited her passion for professional competition.

Her tennis background immediately made her a standout in Australia’s National Pickleball League (NPL).

Drafted as the first pick before even playing a professional pickleball match, Tyra captained her team, the Aliens, to the finals in her debut season.

Her adaptability and competitive mindset quickly established her as a formidable presence on the pickleball court.

Reflecting on her journey, Tyra said, “I believe I am a great player to have on someone’s team. I adapt well to others and always give my best in everything I do.” Her determination and leadership earned her a second captaincy for the NPL’s current season, where her team again reached the finals.

Now, Tyra brings her skills and experience to the Chennai Super Champs as they gear up for the inaugural World Pickleball League (WPBL) in Mumbai.

For Tyra, the opportunity to compete in India represents both a new challenge and a chance to be part of pickleball’s growing global footprint.

The Chennai Super Champs have assembled a diverse roster of international and Indian talent and with Tyra Calderwood on their side, the team gains not just a player but a seasoned competitor whose story embodies reinvention and the enduring love of racket sports.

Tyra's Chennai Super Champs begin their campaign against Bengaluru Jawans on Friday, 24th January.

All six teams play each other once in a round-robin format with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals on 1st February.

The final is scheduled for 2nd February. All matches will be played at the Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium) in Mumbai.