The Tennis Premier League, TPL Season 7, powered by Clear Premium Water, witnessed an evening of intense bidding and star power as its Season 7 Player Auction unfolded in Mumbai.
Tennis legends Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza headlined the event alongside league co-founders Kunal Thakkur and Mrunal Jain, as franchises fought fiercely to build their squads ahead of the much-anticipated season to be held from December 9–14, 2025, at the Gujarat University Tennis Stadium, Ahmedabad.
With high drama, record bids, and strategic picks, the auction showcased the league’s growing stature blending Indian and international talent for what promises to be the most competitive season yet.
Balaji and Bollipalli Hit the Top Mark
The evening’s headline moment came when Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bollipalli, both Indian doubles specialists ranked inside the world’s top 80, became the joint-costliest players of the auction, fetching INR 12 lakh each the maximum permissible bid. Balaji was snapped up by Gurgaon Grand Slammers, captained by Frenchman Corentin Moutet (World No. 38), who also added Nuria Parrizas Diaz (career-high World No. 45) for INR 6 lakh. Meanwhile, Chennai Smashers, led by Dalibor Svrcina (World No. 91), made a decisive move to secure Rithvik Bollipalli, adding depth and flair to their doubles lineup alongside new signing Irina Bara (INR 6 lakh).
The record bids highlighted the growing premium on doubles expertise, reflecting the league’s unique format where partnerships and tactical combinations often dictate outcomes.
The SG Pipers Bengaluru, under the leadership of Indian doubles legend Rohan Bopanna, were among the busiest teams at the table. They secured India’s No. 2 singles player Shrivalli Bhamidipaty for INR 8.6 lakh following her strong performances at the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1, and added the experienced Ramkumar Ramanathan for INR 7.2 lakh.
Defending champions Hyderabad Strikers, captained by Arthur Rinderknech (World No. 54), fought hard to bring in Carole Monnet (World No. 205) for INR 10.6 lakh after a fierce bidding battle, while retaining doubles ace Vishnu Vardhan for INR 6 lakh to maintain squad continuity.
For GS Delhi Aces, marquee player Tomas Martin Etcheverry (World No. 58) will be joined by Belgium’s Sofia Costoulas (World No. 168), acquired for INR 11 lakh after a tense three-way battle against Hyderabad and Gujarat. They further strengthened their doubles ranks with Jeevan Neduncheziyan (INR 6 lakh). The Gujarat Panthers, led by Alexandre Muller (World No. 39), also made key moves signing Nuria Brancaccio for INR 10 lakh after spirited competition and adding doubles specialist Anirudh Chandrasekhar (World No. 87) for INR 7 lakh.
The Yash Mumbai Eagles, anchored by former World No. 23 Damir Dzhumhur, opted for balance and reliability, signing Mariam Bolkvadze and Niki Poonacha for INR 6 lakh each.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Rangers, captained by Luciano Darderi (World No. 29) the highest-ranked player in the league added Anastasia Gasanova (INR 6 lakh) and India’s Dhakshineswar Suresh (INR 7.5 lakh), bolstering both singles and doubles depth.
Competitive Bidding Reflects League’s Growth
The auction’s dynamic energy and the participation of tennis icons underscored how far the TPL has come in seven seasons. Strategic team-building, smart budget management, and the focus on Indian talent marked this year’s auction as the most balanced yet. “Season 7 has truly raised the bar for the league,” said Kunal Thakkur, Co-Founder of TPL. “The way franchises battled for top Indian and international talent shows how competitive and high-quality the TPL has become. Fans can expect an electrifying week of tennis in Ahmedabad this December.”
Echoing the sentiment, Mrunal Jain, Co-Founder of the league, added:
“The energy inside the auction hall reflected the excitement surrounding Season 7. Teams have built strong, well-rounded squads, and the blend of experience and youth ensures this season will be one of the most closely contested editions we’ve had.”
A Premium Experience Ahead
The Tennis Premier League Season 7 is powered by Clear Premium Water, with Yonex Sunrise as the official equipment partner and Sofitel Mumbai as the auction venue partner. BookMyShow will handle ticketing, while Magnum SX Wellness joins as the official wellness partner ensuring a world-class experience for players and fans alike. As the countdown to December begins, the stage is set for six days of world-class tennis, tactical brilliance, and the continued rise of Indian tennis talent on one of the sport’s most vibrant platforms.
Season 7 Dates: December 9–14, 2025
Venue: Gujarat University Tennis Stadium, Ahmedabad
