The seventh season of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) opened on a memorable note as two of India’s greatest tennis icons, Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna, returned to the court together for a special exhibition match on the opening day at the Gujarat University Tennis Stadium.
Their appearance set the tone for a festival of tennis, signalling both nostalgia and progress as the league continues to expand its footprint across India.
Mirza, the Brand Ambassador of the Gurgaon Grand Slammers, teamed up with Britain’s Dan Evans to take on Bopanna and India’s Shrivalli Bhamidipaty of SG Pipers Bengaluru in a mixed doubles exhibition. Playing in front of a packed stadium, Mirza and Evans claimed a 10–6 victory in an encounter that blended competitive intensity with light-hearted moments, drawing loud applause from an enthusiastic Ahmedabad crowd.
The evening carried special significance for Sania Mirza, who was returning to Ahmedabad nearly three decades after playing there as an under-14 competitor. The former World No.1 in women’s doubles received a rousing welcome, with fans acknowledging her contribution to Indian sport and her role in shaping the country’s tennis culture.
“Thank you, Ahmedabad, for the warm welcome,” Mirza said after the match. “Rohan and I come from a time when there was hardly anybody watching tennis in India. To walk into a stadium like this, full of people, is a real pleasure. TPL does exactly what it set out to do it grows the sport, gives younger players opportunities to test themselves against international competitors, and brings tennis closer to fans.”
Mirza also urged local supporters to continue backing the league over the coming days. “We saw some great tennis today, and hopefully everyone will come out and support the home players as well as those visiting from around the world,” she added.
Rohan Bopanna, recently retired from professional tennis and now serving as a marquee player for SG Pipers Bengaluru, echoed Mirza’s sentiments. For Bopanna, TPL represents a meaningful platform to give back to the sport that shaped his career.
“There’s tremendous experience young players gain by competing in an event like this,” Bopanna said. “Sania and I have always wanted to help the next generation grow. She has been a phenomenal role model—not just in tennis but across Indian sport. Bringing tennis to a new city like Ahmedabad is important, and we are very happy to be part of this journey.”
The exhibition match was not without humour. Ahead of the game, Mirza joked about possibly letting Bopanna enjoy the occasion more. “I haven’t touched a racquet since the 2023 Australian Open final,” she said with a smile. “Rohan might have announced his retirement, but from the way he played today, he still looks ready for a few more years.”
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Beyond the nostalgia, the exhibition served its purpose as a vibrant curtain-raiser for TPL Season 7, which features eight franchises competing in the league’s signature fast-paced format. Rajasthan Rangers, Gurgaon Grand Slammers, Gujarat Panthers, Hyderabad Strikers, GS Delhi Aces, Yash Mumbai Eagles, Chennai Smashers and SG Pipers Bengaluru will battle for the title over the coming days.
Season 7 also marks an important milestone for TPL as it moves out of Maharashtra for the first time, with Ahmedabad hosting the league. The opening day crowd response suggested the decision was well-founded, as fans turned up in large numbers to witness top-class tennis in a city steadily embracing the sport.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Supported by Indian tennis legends such as Leander Paes, Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi, alongside prominent figures from the entertainment industry, the Tennis Premier League has built a unique identity that blends elite competition with fan engagement. The opening night in Ahmedabad highlighted exactly why the league continues to grow in stature.
As Mirza and Bopanna shared the court once again, the moment symbolised both how far Indian tennis has come and the pathways being created for its future.
With the stage set and momentum built from day one, TPL Season 7 promises a week of high-quality tennis, young talent under pressure, and an atmosphere that continues to redefine how the sport is experienced in India.
