(Jun 30, 2025) It began with a father’s quiet dream and a table in a neighborhood gym in St. Denis. Far from the spotlight, six-year-old Prithika Pavade first gripped a paddle under the watchful eye of her father, a former table tennis enthusiast from Puducherry who worked at the George V Hotel in Paris. In that modest setting, a world-class athlete was quietly taking shape.
Now 20, Prithika Pavade stands at the forefront of a new era in European table tennis. A left-handed dynamo known for her tactical sharpness and lightning reflexes, the Indian-origin youngster is France’s top-ranked women’s singles player and a two-time Olympian. She became one of the youngest French Olympians at the Tokyo Olympics and has since steadily climbed the global ranks, marking her territory with precision and poise. Her career includes notable achievements like winning the European U-21 title at 16 and representing France at both the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, solidifying her status as one of the most promising players in international table tennis today.
But beyond the paddles and podiums, Prithika represents a rare cultural duality that fuses Indian heritage with French excellence. Born in the Parisian suburb of St. Denis to parents from Puducherry, her roots in India’s former French colony and her upbringing in one of Paris’s most diverse neighborhoods give her a unique lens through which she approaches her career. As she continues to rise in the international ranks, the youngster aims to become one of the best players in history.
Prithika Pavade
Her parents, Vijayan and Suguna Pavade, moved to France in 2003. A year later, Prithika was born. Though her life has played out on European soil, India remains a deep part of her emotional fabric.
Parisian beginnings with Puducherry spirit
Prithika’s father, Vijayan, once a passionate table tennis player in Puducherry, had long set aside his sporting dreams for a career that led him to work at the George V Hotel in Paris. But it was in a modest gym just two minutes from their St. Denis apartment where he reignited that passion, this time by introducing his six-year-old daughter to the game.
“My dad was the one who first chose table tennis for me. But he never forced me to stick to it, and later on, it became my choice because I just fell in love with the sport,” Prithika recalls.
Within a year, she was beating him. Though he was never a professional, Vijayan had good technique, and it was enough to lay a solid foundation for her future. “He never told me, but I think he was happy. He always tried to push me to be a better player,” she says.
By the age of 11, Prithika knew she had something special. After winning the Under-14 French Championships, she began to see table tennis not just as a hobby but as a potential career.
Prithika Pavade
Crafting a career in table tennis
Prithika Pavade’s professional career has been one of steady progression. At just 16, she captured the European U-21 title, which was a clear signal to the world that she was more than just a junior prodigy. That same year, she earned a coveted spot on the French Olympic team for the Tokyo 2020 Games, becoming one of the youngest athletes ever to represent the country at that level.
The Tokyo Olympics marked a turning point. For the young teenager, the event was less about medals and more about experience. “That was probably the greatest moment of my life,” she recalls. But it wouldn’t be her only Olympic memory. By 2024, with more confidence and ranking points behind her, Prithika qualified for the Paris Games—this time on home soil. The significance wasn’t lost on her. “My first school and my first club in the same city. I will be a little nervous, but the most important thing is to enjoy the moment.”
As her profile rose, so did her consistency. Prithika’s ranking steadily improved, and she eventually emerged as France’s top women’s singles player. But singles wasn’t the only domain she conquered. She formed dynamic partnerships in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles, playing alongside Camille Lutz and Simon Gauzy, respectively.
Recent stints at high-profile tournaments such as the WTT Champions Chongqing and the Singapore Smash confirmed her place in the international top tier. While a major breakthrough title may still be on the horizon, her presence at these events signals that she is no flash in the pan, rather belongs at the highest level.
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Balancing backhands and books
While many elite athletes set aside education for training, Prithika has continued her studies in Chemistry and Environmental Science. “I think our generation is very lucky,” she says of balancing academics and athletics. Her discipline off the court mirrors her precision on it, and the blend of intellect and athleticism gives her a rare maturity for someone so young.
Holding on to Heritage
Though fluent in French and English, Prithika retains a connection to her Tamil roots, albeit with some gaps. “I can understand a little Tamil. My parents still speak to me in Tamil, but I answer in French,” she admits. Her visits to India, especially Puducherry where her grandparents still live, have been filled with emotional and sensory memories.
“The thing I loved the most in India is the food. My mom is a great cook. In France, she cooked a lot of Indian food. I’ve even started to learn how to cook Indian food. My favourite food to cook is mutton biriyani.”
She even sees her personality as shaped by her background. “I’m a bit introverted and calm. I’ve always felt that was the Indian part of me.”
Prithika Pavade with her parents | Photo Credit: Sportstar
French by flag, Indian at heart
Prithika has often been asked if she would ever consider switching allegiance to India. Her answer is gentle but firm: “I was born in France. I’ve lived there all my life. Of course, India will always have a special place in my heart, but I’ve spent all my life in France.”
In an increasingly globalized sports landscape, where many athletes choose countries for convenience or opportunity, Prithika’s sense of identity is rooted in gratitude. She acknowledges her roots but remains loyal to the country that shaped her career.
Growth plan
Prithika knows the journey is far from over. “This Olympics is special, but I am still quite young. I have a long career, and I want to win medals in the European championships. I want medals in the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at the Worlds and Olympics. I want to do something great. I want to be one of the best players in history,” the youngster remarks.
As she continues to rise, she remains clear-eyed about what drives her. “I love this sport, and I think I can do something good. It’s in my hands.”
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