Junior Naomi Karki has become a key member of the Rutgers women’s tennis team, recognized for her steady presence on the court and her dedication in the classroom. After receiving the 2024 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and delivering a strong sophomore season, Karki enters the new year focused on building confidence, being dependable, and supporting her teammates.
“I want to really contribute by winning for the team and through my performance,” Karki said. “Being personally confident on the court and enjoying it are definitely goals this season.”
Karki’s connection to tennis began early in East Brunswick, New Jersey. She recalled her first experiences: “When I started in a beginner program, I was not good. I was around five years old and had no hand-eye coordination.” Despite these challenges, she continued to enjoy playing. “I was whiffing the ball for a long time, but I was always enjoying my time on the court,” she said.
Her commitment led to notable achievements at East Brunswick High School, where she posted a 24–2 record, earned MVP honors, and helped secure the 2019 NJSIAA State Championship for her team.
Before joining Rutgers, Karki trained at Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy. The international experience broadened her outlook and improved her skills. “It was good from a fitness perspective; the amount of practice and the intensity were helpful,” she said. “I really enjoyed practicing tennis rather than thinking about the next tournament or opponent. There were people from all around the world, and seeing how many people were dedicated to getting better was a nice environment.”
Choosing Rutgers offered both academic rigor and athletic opportunity. The Honors College attracted Karki as it allowed her to pursue high-level academics alongside Division I athletics. She noted differences between campus life and home: “I really liked how each campus had such different vibes. Once I came on campus, it still felt unfamiliar and new compared to home.”
Support from head coach Hilary Ritchie played an important role in her decision-making process. “She actually was the one to tell me about the Honors College, and she encouraged me to pursue that,” Karki said. “Having that support was really nice to hear from Coach.”
Now majoring in cell biology and neuroscience while competing in collegiate tennis, Karki is recognized for balancing academics with athletics through focus and time management.
Off-court interests also shape Karki’s perspective. She enjoys music and dancing when possible: “Overall, I love music,” she said. “I love dancing and wish I did it more, but the opportunity doesn’t really arise that often.” Recently, chess has become another hobby: “I started playing in London over the summer, and it helps so much,” she continued, “when I’m competing, if I need to focus, I’ll play chess.”
Reflecting on recent matches helped reinforce her self-assurance: “At the beginning of the summer, I played a match where I felt I played well against someone strong,” she explained. “I trusted a lot of my training, and it was very physical. I think it kept my confidence, especially going into this year.” She added: “I was working on so much off the court that helped me to do well, and I was glad Coach Hilary was able to watch me compete confidently and enjoy myself.”
As she advances through college tennis with greater confidence and leadership responsibilities, Karki remains committed to improvement for herself and her team.
“Being a good, respectful teammate and reliable on and off the court is important; whether it’s through my performance, showing up at practice, or encouraging my teammates.”
The Rutgers women’s tennis team will return to competition Nov. 7 at the Big Green Invitational in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Fans can follow updates about Rutgers women’s tennis on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
