The Tennis Premier League (TPL) delivered another thrilling edition from 3rd -8th December, culminating in a spectacular victory for the Hyderabad Strikers, making them the most successful team in the league.
What made this season truly special was the perfect blend of Indian and international players in the teams, bringing a unique mix of skills, styles, and experiences to the court.
For Indian tennis players, it wasn’t just a competition—it was a golden opportunity. Competing against top-tier foreign athletes on home soil provided them with invaluable exposure, allowing them to measure their skills against international standards.
Though the league had a unique 25 points format, it still offered a deeper understanding of where they stand on the global tennis stage, helping identify areas for growth.
Indian players in the tournament
1. Hyderabad Strikers: Vishnu Vardhan
2. Yash Mumbai Eagles: Karan Singh, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan
3. Rajasthan Rangers: Rohan Bopanna
4. Gujarat Panthers: Sumit Nagal, Vijay Sudar Prasanth,
5. Bengal Wizards: Niki Poonacha, Sriram Balaji, Siddhant Banthia
6. Punjab Patriots: Saketh Myneni, Mukund Sasikumar, Akansha Nitture
7. Bengaluru SG Pipers: Anirudh Chandrasekhar
8. Chennai Smashers: Ritvik Bollipalli
Here’s how Indian tennis players performed throughout this league
Vishnu Vardhan taking charge for the Hyderabad Strikers
Vishnu, the lone Indian in Hyderabad Strikers, delivered critical wins throughout the league. He showcased his great serves and volley skill, keeping the crowd on their toes. His intense mixed doubles and men’s doubles battles against Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan were highlights, with Vishnu flipping the script in the finals to lead his team to victory.
His consistent performances in high-stakes matches were instrumental in Hyderabad Strikers’ success.
Sumit Nagal and Rohan Bopanna: star players attracting the crowd.
Sumit having a dull second half of the season, struggled early in the league with consecutive losses, including matches against Arthur Fery and Sasi Kumar Mukund, both marred by unforced errors and wrong returns. However, he regained confidence later, edging out a 13-12 victory against Zepata Meralles through excellent baseline rallies and forcing his opponent into errors.
He also secured significant wins in men’s doubles, helping Gujarat Panthers reach semifinals. In the semifinal, Sumit proved pivotal for his team notching the win against Karan Singh.
Rohan Bopanna coming back from the ATP Finals, showed why he is still the best in the business. He showcased his experience in mixed and mens doubles with smart placements and powerful volleys, delivering consistent wins.
Despite losing a close men’s doubles match to Ritvik Choudary, his athleticism and aces were highlights. Rohan emerged as a key player for his team, especially with his clutch performances in the mixed doubles contests.
Karan, Sasi and Niki proved their potential in the league
Karan had a mixed campaign but stood out with some commanding victories. He dominated Sasi Kumar Mukund 18-7 with precise net play and placements.
However, he fell short in a neck-and-neck battle against Sriram Balaji, losing 12-13. His victory against Benjamin Lock underlined his potential to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
Sasi’s journey saw several ups and downs. He defeated Niki Poonacha in a one-sided match, showing his dominance, but suffered losses against Karan Singh and Arthur Fery. His doubles win against Sumit Nagal/ Vijay Sundar highlighted his composure, though his performances lacked consistency in crucial moment.
Niki struggled with double faults and unforced errors, especially against Benjamin Lock. Despite these setbacks, he shone in men’s doubles alongside Sriram Balaji, where his quick reflexes and court coverage were critical. However, he was overpowered by Sasi in a lopsided singles match.
Sriram Balaji and Saketh Myneni dominated the doubles field.
Balaji’s doubles expertise came to the fore alongside Niki Poonacha, where their synergy secured important victories. Balaji’s all-round contributions were significant for his team’s campaign. To everyone’s surprise, he was put in singles match against Karan Singh, where Balaji won the close contest.
Saketh showcased his versatility and composure, delivering crucial wins in both mixed and mens doubles. He defeated Rohan Bopanna in mixed doubles with clinical precision, though he fell short in men’s doubles against the same opponent.
Saketh, paired up with Mukund Sasikumar, proved to be great asset to the Punjab Patriots team. Jeevan, Anirudh, Ritvik and Vijay proved to be strong pillars for their team
Jeevan’s tactical brilliance was evident throughout the league. His precise lobs and net play earned him crucial wins for the Mumbai Eagles, particularly in mixed doubles.
Despite a narrow loss to Vishnu (Hyderabad Strikers) in men’s doubles, Jeevan’s ability to dominate exchanges and dictate play made him a standout performer.
Anirudh impressed with his aggressive gameplay, particularly his powerful serves and blistering overhead shots. Partnering with Zepata Meralles, he defeated Rohan Bopanna in mens doubles.
His strong placements and ability to control rallies were highlights of his campaign. Ritvik capitalized on his strong form from the ATP 250 win this season, using overhead smashes and precise aces to dominate key points. While he fell to Vijay Sundar Prashanth (Gujarat Panthers) in mixed and men’s doubles, his placements and ability to exploit openings were notable highlights of his campaign.
Vijay displayed consistency and skill, partnering with Sumit in mens doubles. His solid baseline play and ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses made him a reliable contributor throughout the tournament.
Akanksha and Siddhant get big stage to showcase their talent
Making her debut, Akanksha (Punjab Patriots) showed determination against Ekaterina Kazionova (Gujarat Panthers), trying to match her opponent’s level despite losing 6-19. Her persistence and adaptability in returning shots were commendable. While she also lost in mixed doubles, the experience will undoubtedly aid her growth in professional tennis.
In his debut, Siddhant showed promise with his powerful rallies and overhead smashes. He also delivered a commendable performance in men’s doubles, proving his potential as a rising
star.
The Tennis Premier League highlighted the depth and talent of Indian players. With each season getting bigger and better, it will be great to see how the next season unfolds with other Indian players probably getting an opportunity to make their mark.
