Rohan Bopanna, India's former world number one doubles player, has been excluded from the AITA's Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster. This exclusion is due to his failure to meet the mandatory one-year retirement criterion, as he announced his professional retirement on November 1, 2025, just shy of the October 16, 2026, deadline for the roster. Despite inquiring about his eligibility and receiving initial assurance, his continued participation on the Pro ATP tour until October 2025 meant he was still considered active.
Former Indian tennis greats Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, and Rohan Bopanna, along with other prominent sportspersons, have applied for Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) positions within the All India Tennis Association (AITA). This move aligns with new national sports governance rules aimed at increasing sportsperson representation in federations. The AITA received 26 applications, and the selection process for SOM representatives is expected to conclude on November 5, with AITA elections scheduled for November 27.
'No point in looking for excuses': Coach Ashutosh Singh on India's Asiad tennis flop.
Indian tennis experienced a significant disappointment at the recent Asian Games, failing to secure any medals for the first time since 1986. The campaign concluded with Sumit Nagal's quarterfinal exit in men's singles, alongside early exits for key doubles pairs. Coaches and officials acknowledge the high level of competition and the need for better support and development of the next generation of players to avoid similar outcomes in future tournaments.
Tennis legend Rohan Bopanna has expressed his desire to take on an administrative role at the All India Tennis Association (AITA), aiming to drive significant change in Indian tennis. Bopanna highlighted the importance of focusing on existing strengths and providing comprehensive support to players, drawing from his experience with the 'Doubles Dream of India' program.
India is set to face South Korea in the second round of the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers in Seoul, aiming to secure a spot in the Final 8 for the first time under the current format. The team, featuring top players like Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri, seeks to end a long wait for a maiden title, building on the legacy of Indian tennis legends.
Five Indian tennis players were excluded from the Asian Games squad because they did not meet the Sports Ministry's stringent international ranking criteria, a decision that has drawn criticism from veteran players like Rohan Bopanna but is being upheld by authorities to maintain administrative integrity.
Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, has announced he will compete as a doubles player in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
SAI has defended the exclusion of five Indian tennis players from the Asian Games squad, saying they failed to meet the prescribed continental ranking criteria.
Indian boxing icon Vijender Singh is planning to establish a boxing academy in his ancestral village of Kaluwas, Bhiwani, and has sought financial assistance from the Sports Ministry.
Rohan Bopanna emphasises the need for a structured approach to developing tennis in India, while Joshna Chinnappa expresses excitement about squash's Olympic debut and the growth of Indian squash talent.
Russian star Daniil Medvedev and Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna will play in the same squad, while Sumit Nagal is part of a side that features former world number 6 Gael Monfils for the World Tennis League, to be held In Bengaluru from December 17 to 20.
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson drew parallels between cricket and tennis legends, comparing MS Dhoni to Roger Federer and Virat Kohli to Carlos Alcaraz. He also reflected on India's recent T20 World Cup victory, crediting the women's team for inspiring the men, and discussed the challenge posed by Australia. Former tennis player Rohan Bopanna shared his Wimbledon predictions and memories.
'Frankly, I'm in that zone for another Olympics.'
The 45-year-old Bopanna's final appearance on the Tour came at the Paris Masters, where he partnered Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik, losing in the opening round earlier this week.
India's Billie Jean King Cup team expresses confidence and readiness for the Asia-Oceania Group I ties despite an injury to Shrivalli Bhamidipaty. Captain Vishal Uppal highlights the team's depth and preparation, while players emphasise the advantage of home conditions and familiarity with opponents.
With Bopanna's defeat, India's challenge has ended in the elite clay-court tournament.
Rohan Bopanna teamed up with Belgium's Sander Gille to enter the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 Boss Open in Stuttgart
Nagal's ranking nosedives to 233, still-strong Bopanna out of top-50 for first time in 15 years
The unseeded Indo-Czech pair lost 2-6, 6-7(5) to Heliovaara from Finland and British player Patten, ranked three and four in the world respectively, in the pre-quarterfinals.
Yuki Bhambri and Andre Goransson's impressive run at the Indian Wells Masters came to an end after a semi-final loss to Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot.
India's Yuki Bhambri and his American partner Robert Galloway progressed to the second round of men's doubles event at the Wimbledon with straight-sets win over Romain Arneodo of Monaco and Manuel Guinard of France on Wednesday.
Rohan Bopanna and Shuai Zhang suffered a narrow defeat against local wild cards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki in a thrilling contest at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
'Right from 2002, making my debut and 22 years later still getting to represent India. I'm extremely proud of that.'
India's singles challenge has already ended with both Sumit Nagal and Ramkumar Ramanathan making first round exits.
Rohan Bopanna and Nicolas Barrientos bowed out of the Australian Open men's doubles with an opening-round loss to the Spanish team of Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar.
Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, Australian Nick Kyrgios and 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina, are set to enthrall fans in India when the World Tennis League makes its debut, in Bengaluru, on December 17.
Sumit Nagal on Monday dropped out of the much-desired bracket following a string of poor show
Rohan Bopanna and his partner Australia's Matthew Ebden were beaten by Argentine combo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
Doubles is not a sideshow: Yuki Bhambri on re-invention and right support
Rohan Bopanna and Aldila Sutjiadi will next play fourth seeds Matthew Ebden and Barbora Krejcikova.
The 44-year-old Bopanna had also lost in the men's doubles in the third round when he and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden were beaten by the Argentine duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
India's Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden got off to a fine start in the men's doubles at the US Open, beating Sander Arends and Robin Haase of the Netherlands in straight sets at Flushing Meadows on Thursday.
World No 30 has Monfils stepped in to replace injured Fabien Reboul
Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden were beaten by the Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the men's doubles semi-finals.
India's first and only tennis medal in the history of Olympic Games came way back in 1996, when Leander Paes claimed the singles bronze in Atlanta.
India had mixed fortunes in the men's doubles at the US Open on Friday.
Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal have secured their Paris Olympics 2024 quotas for India
When contacted, AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar said he does not have any objection to Bopanna playing with Balaji, ranked 84, at the Paris Olympics.
Balaji also showed that he can quickly adapt to conditions when he was asked to do the singles duty during the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan on grass. The rival was not of the highest quality but Balaji showed that he was willing to come out of his comfort zone if the team demands.
