India’s Teen Duo Manas Dhamne & Hitesh Chauhan Storm into Roland-Garros Juniors Main Draw
It’s a moment of pride for Indian tennis as two 17-year-olds, Manas Dhamne and Hitesh Chauhan, have booked their places in the Roland-Garros Juniors Main Draw after impressive runs in the qualifiers. The achievement signals a promising future for the sport in the country and reflects the growing depth in the Indian junior circuit.
Manas Dhamne: Calm, Clinical, and Confident
Manas Dhamne, already a familiar name on the ITF junior circuit, delivered two dominating performances in Paris to storm into the main draw. In his final round of qualifying, the Indian teen dismantled Jr World No. 62 Damir Zhalgasbay (Kazakhstan) 6-1, 6-2 in under an hour. His earlier 6-2, 6-2 win against Romania’s Alejandro Nourescu highlighted his consistency, court craft, and mental sharpness on the clay.
Dhamne’s ability to control the rallies and dictate points from the baseline drew praise from onlookers and commentators. His effortless movement and clean ball-striking were a cut above his opponents throughout qualifying.
Hitesh Chauhan: Fighting Spirit on Display
If Dhamne’s run was about dominance, Hitesh Chauhan’s was all about grit and resilience. The youngster from Gujarat showed nerves of steel as he came through two tough rounds, including a come-from-behind three-set win over Brazil’s Junior World No. 63 Cunha Winheski De Lima, sealing the match 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.
In his opening qualifier, Chauhan made headlines by brushing aside Junior WR No. 55 Gabriele Crivellaro of Italy with a 6-3, 6-0 win, showcasing his aggressive return game and improved footwork on clay. The contrast in his two victories—one dominant, the other hard-fought—speaks volumes about his adaptability and competitive edge.
Indian Unity on Display in Paris
One of the most heartwarming moments of the qualifiers came after Dhamne had wrapped up his final match. Rather than head off to rest, he made his way to support Hitesh from the sidelines, applauding every big point his compatriot won. It was a snapshot of the camaraderie between India’s next-gen stars—rooted in shared dreams and mutual respect.
This unity, coupled with their individual successes, paints a bright picture for Indian tennis. For a country that’s long sought consistent representation in the junior Slams, having two boys in the Roland-Garros main draw in the same year is a significant breakthrough.
India’s history at the junior Grand Slams has seen sporadic success—Yuki Bhambri’s Australian Open win in 2009 remains the last singles title by an Indian boy. In recent years, the spotlight has shifted to the need for a pipeline that bridges junior success with the senior circuit. The qualification of both Dhamne and Chauhan—against top-70 ranked opponents—underlines not only potential, but preparation.
Both players are part of structured training programs, have international exposure under their belts, and now, crucially, a Grand Slam main draw experience in the making.
What’s Next
The real challenge begins now. The Roland-Garros Juniors main draw is stacked with talent, many of whom already have ATP Challenger experience. But for Manas and Hitesh, it’s about absorbing the atmosphere, executing their game plans, and growing from every match. A win or two in the main draw could open doors to even higher-tier ITF events and attract valuable wildcard opportunities.
Indian Tennis Is Watching
Their run in Paris is not just a personal milestone—it’s an inspiration for countless juniors training across the country. The clay courts of Roland-Garros have often been seen as intimidating for Indian players. Dhamne and Chauhan have shown that with the right mindset, preparation, and belief, even those red courts can turn into a launching pad.
India at Roland-Garros Juniors 2025
🎾 Manas Dhamne – Qualified after defeating Jr WR #62 Damir Zhalgasbay (6-1, 6-2)
🎾 Hitesh Chauhan – Qualified after defeating Jr WR #63 Cunha Winheski De Lima (7-5, 2-6, 7-5)
Two boys. One dream. A new generation of Indian tennis is ready for Paris.
#RolandGarros #IndianTennis #ManasDhamne #HiteshChauhan #JuniorSlam #GrandSlam2025 #FutureStars
