Adriana Diaz is generally a chirpy character, a livewire on and off the table. The 24-year-old, 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 full of trick shots including chop blocks and ‘No Look’ ones, Adriana has defeated a number of top-ranked paddlers and has carved a niche of her own through active engagement with fans and her scintillating display on the WTT Tour over the last few years.
In fact, a clip shared by WTT for the Star 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 round 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 first Puerto Rican to reach the world’s top 20 and on playing 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 happy to be here in Chennai for the WTT Star Contender Chennai.
You are the first player from Puerto Rico to compete in three Olympics. Tell us a little about table tennis in your country.
Being the first Puerto Rican to qualify to the Olympics (Rio 2016) was amazing for me. At the time, I was 15 years old, so I didn’t know how crazy it was.
I was like a little kid just playing 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 small island where not many people play table tennis — to play the sport at a high level is great.
But, I think table tennis is growing right now. There are many more TT players in Puerto Rico. There’s also young talent. So, I’m very happy that I could help a little to inspire more young kids.
Table tennis runs in the family. You and your four sisters play the sport with your father coaching you all. What is the impact of having the sport play such a huge role at the family level too?
Yeah. We all grew with the sport. My mom met my dad while playing table tennis. So, we kind of grew up with it. One of the best childhood memories that I have is playing with my sisters for hours and being competitive. I think it really helped me develop as a professional table tennis player. As a kid, I was the third sister. I was very competitive. 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 each other a lot. 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 playing with your sister?
I mean, back in 2019-2019, we were in the world’s top 10. My sister and I, we’ve always liked to play with each other. Normally, we don’t fight, but sometimes it’s inevitable! I have a very strong 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 happy about that.
You have regularly been to China and experienced the table tennis culture there first-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-playing country. I think the most important one is that they are a big team. They have so many people behind them. For example, in my case, I’m here (Chennai) with only my coach. Chinese players have a lot of physios and a lot of people who know the sport really well in their teams who help these players get to the top.
And, of course, China has a glorious tradition in table tennis. Most Asian countries are really good and potentially the best in table tennis. But we’re fighting with what we have and what we know. I think there’s still a lot to learn. But I’m very happy 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 lot of music. Puerto Rico has a party culture. We like to dance, we like to listen to music. Bad Bunny is one of the best rappers and singers in the world. We’re proud of him and I usually love to hear some Bad Bunny (songs) before matches.
The other thing I do is this thing called Pretty-Ugly. It’s a company I started three years ago alongside my sisters Melanie, Fabiola and Gabriela that produces school notebooks to support environmental and social causes by design and purpose. The notebooks are free of plastic and therefore environment-friendly and a part of the proceeds also go to charity.
You’re still chasing your maiden WTT women’s singles title. In WTT Contender Muscat in 2023, you came close, reaching the final losing to Hina Hayata in the final and became the first player from the Americas to reach a women’s singles final in the WTT Series. How close do you think you are?
In Muscat, I reached the final, losing to Japan’s Hina Hayata. I know table tennis is very difficult because there are so many players who are just pouring their hearts out. And they’re practising every day, especially the Japanese, Indians and Koreans. There are a lot of people who want to get to the top and I’m one of them. Of course, it’s very hard, but I believe in myself. I think I can achieve it.
At the age of just 24, you have featured in three Olympics. You tried quite hard for the medal in Paris, but couldn’t go all the way. What was that experience like for you? Can you recall the meeting with Monica Puig, the 2016 Rio Olympics tennis gold medallist of Puerto Rico, who was the first medal winner from your country?
I think that the Olympics are the most important event in sports. I lost after leading 3-0, but I’m really happy with what I did in the Olympics because just being able to reach the quarterfinals in the Olympics is a huge deal. I got very close to it, losing in the round of 16. I’m just happy that I had that opportunity. Of course, I would have loved to take the match. It just wasn’t possible. Maybe at the next Olympics, I hope I can go a step further 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 Championships in Doha for you personally?
I think every event is important, but especially World Championships 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 win.
You are quite popular for those ‘no-look shots’ and chop blocks. You tried it in the match against Syndrela Das in the second round. Is it a go-to skill in your repertoire?
Really? I didn’t know. I like to do that because I want the people watching to enjoy the match. My coaches aren’t happy 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 cool so that they can just enjoy the match. That’s just 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 great players, really. The pimples (rubbers) are very hard to manage and it’s also very hard 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 great and I hope that India can continue this culture with the sport.
You love languages. You know English, Spanish and Mandarin. How did you pick them up?
I know Mandarin. I can understand the language since I’ve been travelling to China since I was eight years old. I never studied the language… it’s just that I’ve heard it a lot.
You were part of the Waldner Cup, the exhibition tournament in December 2024. You played for Team World against Team Asia. How was the experience?
When the organisers reached out to be to play the Waldner Cup and told me the players taking 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 win, but we just 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 just have a big culture in table tennis. They know what to do.
Published – April 01, 2025 11:47 pm IST
