Indian men’s tennis is quietly witnessing the emergence of a promising junior cohort, shaped by improved academy structures and greater exposure to international competition.
Among the players drawing attention are Hitesh Chauhan, Arjun Rathi, and Gautam S Venkatraman three juniors at very different stages of development, each offering a distinct skill set and trajectory as they inch closer to the professional circuit.
While junior rankings rarely guarantee pro success, the technical and mental foundations built at this stage often determine how smoothly a transition unfolds. A closer look at these three players offers insight into where Indian tennis could be headed over the next cycle.
Hitesh Chauhan: The Grinder with a Pro-Circuit Blueprint
With a career-high junior ranking of 56, Hitesh Chauhan stands out as the most “pro-ready” profile of the trio. His game is built around solidity, patience, and physical resilience qualities that translate well beyond junior tennis.
Technically, Chauhan’s forehand is his biggest asset. It is consistent, heavy enough to hold up under pressure, and reliable in long baseline exchanges. His backhand may not be a natural weapon, but it is dependable and allows him to stay engaged in extended rallies. Combined with strong court coverage and above-average physical conditioning, Chauhan has the tools to grind opponents down rather than overpower them.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
What further strengthens his profile is his mental engagement. Chauhan generally stays locked in during matches, shows willingness to extend points, and is comfortable shifting between defensive and mildly aggressive patterns. He is also not averse to finishing points at the net, where his volleys are competent rather than spectacular.
The primary concern, however, is his serve. At present, Chauhan’s first-serve percentage is low, and the delivery lacks both pace and variety, making it attackable at higher levels. In the professional circuit, where free points often decide tight matches, this is a significant limitation. Improving serve mechanics, adding disguise, and generating more pace will be critical to his next phase of growth.
Occasional frustration-induced lapses also surface when matches drift away from him an issue that could be magnified in Futures-level competition.
Still, his résumé is impressive. Junior titles at J5 Gurugram (2022), J60 Indore (2023), and J200 Cairo (2025), along with wins over players such as Bothma, Hede, and Crivellaro, underline his competitiveness. He has also shown flashes at the professional level, taking a set off Sultanov and defeating Aditya Balsekar.
Training at the Round-Glass Academy, alongside players like Yuki Bhambri and Karman Kaur Thandi, Chauhan appears well-placed structurally. His game is naturally suited to clay and hard courts, and with serve improvement, even grass may become a viable surface.
Arjun Rathi: Talent Shaped by Adversity
Arjun Rathi’s journey is as compelling as his tennis. With a career-high junior ranking of 85, his rise is inseparable from an extraordinary comeback after an accident in February 2024 that sidelined him for seven months.
Technically, Rathi is one of the more versatile baseliners in the junior circuit. He combines high rally tolerance with the ability to accelerate and finish points when opportunities arise. His forehand is solid, his backhand dependable, and his court coverage allows him to retrieve relentlessly. He also possesses a surprisingly effective net game, often catching opponents off guard with well-timed approaches and clean volleys.
Mentally, Rathi brings strong fighting spirit and competitiveness. However, this intensity can also become a weakness. Poor umpiring calls or questionable decisions can trigger visible frustration, leading to loss of concentration a pattern seen in recent losses despite commanding positions, including matches at M25 Bhopal and M15 Gwalior.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Physical durability remains the bigger question. Injuries, including those sustained during his US Open junior qualifying loss to Zavier Augustin, have disrupted momentum. For a player whose style relies on physical endurance, maintaining fitness will be essential.
His junior record is strong: titles at J60 Nairobi (2024), J100 New Delhi (2024), and J200 Kolkata (2025), along with wins over players like Paparkar, Vihaan Reddy, Gonzalez, Iutkin, and sets taken off higher-ranked juniors such as Hewitt and Tabata.
Perhaps most telling is his post-injury surge—playing 61 junior matches from an unranked position to reach the top 100, a testament to resilience and underlying quality. Also training at Round-Glass Academy, Rathi is expected to turn pro by 2026, with recent wins over Sidharth Rawat reinforcing belief in his upside.
Gautam S Venkatraman: Raw Power, Work in Progress
At a career-high junior ranking of 524, Gautam S Venkatraman is clearly at an earlier stage of development, but his physical profile offers intrigue. Like many tall players, he possesses a big serve and a strong forehand, enabling him to dictate short points, particularly on faster surfaces. Gautam is comfortable finishing at the net and could be effective in indoor hard courts, high-altitude conditions, and quick surfaces, where serve-plus-one tennis is rewarded. However, his game currently lacks balance.
The backhand side remains a liability, and rally tolerance is limited. When points extend beyond 8–10 shots, he tends to struggle, exposing questions around mobility and endurance. While this may suffice at entry-level ITF events, it will be tested sharply as competition stiffens. Consistency is another concern. Apart from a title at J100 Pune and a promising run from qualifying in J60 Poland, his junior results have been uneven. Improving baseline aggression, movement, and overall conditioning will be vital.
Encouragingly, Gautam trains at the Sascha Nensel Academy, alongside India’s top pro Sumit Nagal. That environment could prove pivotal if he absorbs the work ethic and tactical discipline required for the pro grind.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Hitesh Chauhan, Arjun Rathi, and Gautam S Venkatraman represent three different archetypes the grinder, the comeback fighter, and the power-based prospect. Their progress underscores a positive trend: Indian juniors are increasingly embedded in serious training ecosystems.
The challenge now lies not in potential, but in transition management. Serve development, physical durability, and mental composure will decide who successfully bridges the gap to professional tennis. For Indian tennis, the next two years will reveal whether promise converts into permanence.
