The World Tennis League (WTL) is set for a defining moment as it stages its fourth season in India for the first time, with Bengaluru hosting the mixed-team exhibition tournament from December 17 to 20, 2025.
The move from the UAE to India marks a strategic shift for the league, signalling its intent to tap into South Asia’s rapidly expanding sports market while leveraging Bengaluru’s growing reputation as an international tennis hub .
The 2025 edition will be held at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium in Cubbon Park, a venue managed by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) and certified to international standards. With seating for over 7,000 spectators and a long history of hosting elite tennis, the stadium provides a ready-made platform for the WTL’s Indian launch.
Its credentials are further underlined by a packed calendar that includes the Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs later in 2025 and the Bengaluru Open in early 2026, ensuring the infrastructure and operational readiness required for a global event .
At the core of the WTL’s appeal is its mixed-team format, combining elite male and female players in a fast-paced, television-friendly competition. Four teams AOS Eagles, Game Changers Falcons, VB Reality Hawks and Aussie Mavericks Kites will contest the title, each comprising two men and two women. A key feature of the Indian edition is the mandatory inclusion of one Indian male and one Indian female player per team, a move designed to create local resonance and offer domestic players exposure alongside global stars .
Among the Indian contingent, Sumit Nagal and Rohan Bopanna stand out. Nagal makes his third consecutive WTL appearance, while Bopanna returns after a three-year gap, bringing with him vast experience and Grand Slam doubles pedigree. In a format where doubles play accounts for half of each tie, Bopanna’s presence could be strategically decisive.
Young Indian players such as Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Maaya Rajeshwaran & experienced Ankita Raina further strengthen the domestic representation, aligning with the league’s long-term market-building goals.
The star power anchoring the league reflects a calculated balance between competitive credibility and entertainment value. Daniil Medvedev headlines the Game Changers Falcons as the highest-ranked player in the field, arriving in Bengaluru with an ATP ranking of 13 and a strong 2025 season that included deep runs at multiple Masters 1000 events. His presence guarantees elite-level intensity and reinforces the WTL’s competitive legitimacy .
In contrast, the Aussie Mavericks Kites are led by Nick Kyrgios, whose current ranking and limited match play in 2025 underline that his value lies less in form and more in spectacle. Kyrgios’ inclusion is a deliberate play for visibility and media attention an important factor for an exhibition league entering a new market.
The contrast between Medvedev’s consistency and Kyrgios’ star appeal encapsulates the WTL’s broader strategy of blending performance with personality.
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One area of concern heading into the season is the VB Reality Hawks’ roster. Elina Svitolina is listed as their female star player, but reports suggest she ended her 2025 season early to focus on recovery ahead of 2026. With her participation uncertain, the league faces a potential credibility challenge if a replacement of comparable stature is not confirmed promptly. Clarifying this situation will be crucial to maintaining competitive balance and fan confidence before the event begins .
On court, the WTL differentiates itself through a scoring system adapted from World TeamTennis, designed to maximise drama and broadcast value. Each tie consists of four sets men’s singles, women’s singles and two doubles sets chosen strategically by the teams. Matches are decided by cumulative games won rather than sets, keeping every game relevant. The format’s most distinctive feature is the Super Shoot-out, a first-to-10 tiebreak triggered if scores are level in overtime.
Worth three points, it ensures climactic finishes and adds a layer of late-match strategy rarely seen in conventional tennis formats.
The condensed four-day schedule, with a round-robin phase followed by a final between the top two teams, is tailored to the off-season calendars of elite players while offering fans a festival-like experience. Ticket pricing, starting at ₹799 for the final, positions the event as accessible to a broad audience, while expected multi-platform broadcasting through a major Indian sports network will ensure nationwide reach.
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As the WTL prepares for its Indian debut, the Bengaluru edition represents more than just a change of location. It is a calculated expansion into a high-potential market, supported by a proven venue, a hybrid roster strategy and a format built for modern audiences.
If executed smoothly particularly with clarity around player availability the 2025 World Tennis League could establish itself as a marquee fixture on India’s tennis calendar and a blueprint for future global growth.
