The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) honoured the Indian Davis Cup team on the sidelines of the ongoing Delhi Open ATP Challenger, celebrating their memorable 3–2 victory over the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Qualifiers earlier this month.
India, ranked World No. 33 at the time, produced one of their finest recent performances by defeating the sixth-ranked Dutch side in a tightly contested tie held in Bengaluru. The win secured India’s passage to the second round of the Davis Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for September, where they will face Korea in a high-stakes encounter.
The felicitation ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Kunal, IAS (Joint Secretary, Sports Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports), Rohit Rajpal (President, DLTA), Sanjeev Kassal (President, International Lawn Tennis Club of India), Deepak Gupta (Honorary Secretary, DLTA), Col. Ranbir Chauhan (General Secretary Operations, DLTA), Satish Upadhyay (Senior Vice President, DLTA), ATP Supervisor John Blom, and India’s top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal, who was a key member of the victorious squad.
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India’s triumph over the Netherlands was widely regarded as an upset, given the rankings gap between the two teams. However, the tie reflected a collective effort, with different players stepping up across matches to deliver crucial points.
Speaking during the ceremony, DLTA President Rohit Rajpal reiterated the association’s long-term commitment to nurturing Indian tennis at all levels.
“At DLTA, we remain committed to supporting and strengthening Indian tennis at every level. Celebrating our Davis Cup team is part of that larger vision,” Rajpal said, emphasising that such milestones are not just moments of pride but also stepping stones for future development.
The felicitation came at an apt time, with the Delhi Open ATP Challenger currently underway at the DLTA Complex, reinforcing Delhi’s growing stature as a hub for competitive international tennis.
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Sumit Nagal, who advanced to the second round of the Delhi Open earlier this week, addressed the media at the ceremony and credited the team-first mindset that powered India’s victory.
“I think everyone did a fantastic job,” Nagal said. “You go out there, you win your match, it gets easier and easier. In Switzerland, I got two points and in this Bengaluru tie, Yuki Bhambri and Dhakshineswar Suresh got all the points. At the end of the day, Davis Cup is about the team and, like I said, everybody performed.”
His remarks underscored the collaborative nature of Davis Cup competition, where individual performances feed into collective success. Against the Netherlands, it was Dhakshineswar Suresh who delivered two crucial singles wins, emerging as one of the tie’s standout performers.
Nagal also spoke warmly about Dhakshineswar Suresh, reflecting on their long-standing association and expressing confidence in the youngster’s potential.
“I met him in 2016, so I know him for a decade. I have always supported him in any way I could. DK is a very nice guy, very calm, smart on the court. I really believe he can do well and I really wish him the best,” Nagal said.
He further highlighted Suresh’s willingness to seek guidance and improve. “Whenever he feels something is missing or wants advice, he’s very quick to ask. Even during the Davis Cup match, I tell him what I feel.” Such mentorship within the squad reflects a healthy team culture, blending experience with emerging talent an essential ingredient for sustained international success.
A Tough Test Awaits
Looking ahead to September’s tie against Korea, Nagal acknowledged the challenge that awaits India in the next round.
“You are playing a top-16 match; you can’t really get an easy match now,” he said. “They’ve always played well, always performed well under Davis Cup. I know it’s going to be a hard match, but if you’re playing well, you can always give yourself a chance to win.”
The Korean team has historically been competitive in Davis Cup play, and India will need to replicate—or exceed—the intensity and execution shown against the Netherlands to progress further.
Founded in 1971, the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association has played a pivotal role in promoting tennis across the capital and beyond. The DLTA Complex, equipped with a centre court, mini centre court, and 12 additional courts, continues to host national and international events, offering Indian players exposure at high competitive standards.
Over the decades, the association has contributed to the development of several Davis Cup players and has actively supported grassroots initiatives such as the Sports Authority of India’s ‘Come and Play’ programme, aiming to broaden access to the sport.
The felicitation of the Davis Cup team during the Delhi Open not only celebrated a significant international victory but also symbolised the broader ambition of Indian tennis to consistently compete with and defeat higher-ranked nations on the global stage.
With momentum building and emerging players stepping forward, Indian tennis finds itself at an encouraging juncture. The September clash against Korea will present another opportunity to test that growth and the foundation laid by institutions like the DLTA will remain central to that journey.
