India’s junior tennis stars are set to make their mark at the Roland-Garros Junior Boys and Girls Singles Qualifying events, with four players in action today.
The standout headline is 15-year-old Manas Dhamne being seeded No. 1 in the boys’ singles qualifying draw—a major milestone for Indian tennis at the prestigious Grand Slam event.
Manas is joined by Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar, the reigning Indian national champion, and Hitesh Chauhan in the boys’ qualifiers. On the girls’ side, Maaya Rajeshwaran, a fast-rising 15-year-old from Coimbatore, is also in the draw, having overcome a last-minute visa hurdle to compete.
Manas Dhamne: Top Seed With Momentum
Fresh off a confidence-boosting run at the ATP 75 Macedonian Open, Manas Dhamne enters Roland-Garros junior qualifying as the top seed—a sign of his growing stature on the junior circuit. While he bowed out in the main draw of the Macedonian Open to Argentina’s Pedro Cachin, a former top-50 player, Manas impressed in qualifying, defeating World No. 314 Andrej Martin and World No. 488 Martin Krumich in straight sets.
In Paris, Dhamne opens against Alejandro Melguizo of Romania, and expectations are high. With his recent ATP exposure and clay-court experience, the Indian teen is tipped to go deep in the draw, provided he navigates the tricky early rounds. This is a crucial tournament for the 2008-born player, who is eyeing a direct entry into junior Grand Slam main draws by the end of the season.
Rethin Pranav: The National Champion’s Big Test
Joining Manas in the draw is Rethin Pranav, who earned his spot by clinching the Indian national junior title earlier this year. Rethin opens his campaign against Hidde Walraven of the Netherlands. Known for his all-court game and mental resilience, Rethin will be keen to translate domestic dominance into international success.
For Rethin, this will be a test not only of skills but of adaptation—facing international players on a surface not widely available in India. His ability to rally from the baseline and handle long exchanges will be key against European opponents who are more familiar with clay.
Hitesh Chauhan: Flying Under the Radar
While not as high-profile as Manas or Rethin, Hitesh Chauhan has quietly worked his way into the conversation with consistent results on the Asian junior circuit. He takes on Gabriel Salvatori of Italy, and though considered an underdog, Hitesh is capable of pulling off surprises. With a strong forehand and quick movement, he has the tools to match up well on clay.
Maaya Rajeshwaran: Visa Cleared, Now for the Challenge
On the girls’ side, Maaya Rajeshwaran, the first Indian girl to train at the Rafael Nadal Academy, is set to play her opening match against 11th seed Brooke Black, ranked No. 67 in the junior world rankings. The build-up to her French Open journey was turbulent—Maaya faced a last-minute visa issue that threatened to derail her campaign. But the hurdle was resolved just in time, and she is now in France and ready to compete.
At just 15, Maaya has already drawn attention with her aggressive baseline play and commitment to training at elite academies. Her development has been closely watched by Indian tennis observers, and a strong showing in Paris could propel her into the global spotlight.
India’s Growing Presence in Juniors
India having four representatives in the qualifying draw—three boys and one girl—is a significant moment for Indian junior tennis. While Manas has been on the radar for a while, the emergence of names like Rethin, Hitesh, and Maaya signals the depth beginning to develop in India’s youth system.
The Roland-Garros Juniors, part of the ITF Junior Grand Slam calendar, is not just about titles. It’s a platform where future stars cut their teeth, adapt to the demands of the pro circuit, and gain crucial experience under the spotlight.
Why Did Kriish Tyagi Withdraw?
Meanwhile, a notable absence from the Roland-Garros junior main draw is Kriish Tyagi, one of India’s top-ranked juniors. Though initially entered, Tyagi withdrew and is currently competing in Tashkent, indicating he is fit. The reasons behind his withdrawal remain unclear, but it’s a setback for India’s hopes in Paris, considering his ranking and clay-court credentials.
All Eyes on Paris
Today, May 29, will be a pivotal day for Indian juniors at Roland-Garros. Matches will unfold across the clay courts of Paris, and Indian fans will be watching closely as the next generation of stars battles for a place in the main draw.
With Manas leading from the front and youngsters like Maaya, Rethin, and Hitesh getting their shot, the future of Indian tennis is on display this week in Paris.
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