Three determined young Bhutanese athletes are poised to make their mark at one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s tennis: the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup. Often referred to as the World Cup of Women’s Tennis, the tournament will see Bhutan compete in the Asia/Oceania Group III category, alongside 16 other nations.
The national team — comprising Sonam Chuki Dorji, Tenzin Dorji Yangkey, and Lhasel Puendharica — will depart for Jordan tomorrow. The week-long event will be held at the King Hussein Sports City from Sunday through Friday.
This marks Bhutan’s third appearance at the Billie Jean King Cup, and expectations are high. The trio has undergone intensive preparation over the past three months, training five days a week under the guidance of international coach Ravi Shankar Singh.
A Team Fueled by Determination and Dreams
Leading the team is 20-year-old Sonam Chuki Dorji from Wangdue Phodrang. An accomplished player with a formidable baseline game, Sonam has long been a dominant force in Bhutan’s junior circuit, clinching top spots in the Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 categories.
Now a student-athlete at Lewis-Clark State College in the United States, she balances rigorous academic pursuits with competitive college-level tennis.
“It is an honour to represent my country in the Billie Jean King Cup,” Sonam said. “Tennis has opened so many doors for me — from education to personal growth. I’m proud to be playing for Bhutan again.”
Joining her is 17-year-old Tenzin Dorji Yangkey, also from Wangdue Phodrang. Known for her powerful groundstrokes and steady improvement, Tenzin has already represented Bhutan internationally, competing in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bahrain.
A semi-finalist at the 2024 National Open, Tenzin is currently a Class 11 student at Motithang Higher Secondary School.
“With the arrival of our new coach, we’ve been training every day,” she said. “We even went to Kolkata last month to prepare under different conditions. We’re going in confident and expecting good results.”
The youngest member of the team, 15-year-old Lhasel Puendharica from Paro, is quickly emerging as one of Bhutan’s top tennis talents. Ranked No. 1 in the Under-16 and No. 2 in the Under-18 national categories, Lhasel is also a Class 11 student at Motithang Higher Secondary School.
She reached the semi-finals of the 2023 National Open and made a strong showing in the 2024 Junior Billie Jean King Cup.
“We know the other players train full time, but we’ve worked really hard this year,” Lhasel said. “We’re better prepared than ever and we’ll give it our all.”
A Coach’s Confidence
Coach Ravi Shankar Singh, who joined the team recently, expressed confidence in his players.
“This tournament is very prestigious,” he said. “But this time our team is strong. They’ve trained hard, and they are ready to challenge.”
As the players prepare to board their flight, they carry more than rackets and gear — they carry the hopes of a nation. With resilience, dedication, and a fierce love for the game, these young women are ready to compete on the world stage and showcase Bhutan’s growing presence in international tennis.
