The World Tennis League (WTL), one of the sport’s most exciting global showcase events, is set for its highly anticipated India debut next month.
After three successful seasons in the UAE, the league licensed and managed by Iconik Sports and Events Ltd. will bring its unique brand of ‘sportainment’ to Bengaluru from December 17 to 20. The SM Krishna Tennis Stadium, operated by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, will host the four-day tournament.
WTL’s arrival in India comes at a moment when the sport is steadily gaining momentum in the country. And this year’s edition promises a star-studded lineup. Headlining the event are former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, showman Nick Kyrgios, reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, and former World No. 2 Paula Badosa. They will be joined by crowd favourites Gael Monfils, rising French star Arthur Fils, Poland’s Magda Linette, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, and India’s evergreen doubles legend Rohan Bopanna.
In a major boost for Indian tennis, WTL has also reserved spots for some of the country’s top performers. Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Maaya Revathi, Dhakshineswar Suresh, and Shivika Burman are all set to feature, providing them the chance to compete and learn alongside global stars. For Indian fans, it marks a rare opportunity to see homegrown talent share the court with some of the most recognizable names in world tennis.
World No. 5 Elena Rybakina, who will be making her first competitive appearance in India, expressed her enthusiasm for the new chapter. “I’ve heard so much about the tennis culture in India, and I’m thrilled to make my debut here with WTL. The league has an exciting format, and I’m ready to enjoy every moment on the court with my team,” she said.
For Mahesh Bhupathi 12-time Grand Slam champion and Co-Founder of the WTL the league’s shift to India carries special significance. “India has always shared a deep and lasting connection with tennis, and the WTL’s arrival here is an opportunity to strengthen that bond,” Bhupathi said.
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Reflecting on the league’s fast-paced team format, he added, “This concept brings out a dynamic, engaging side of competition. With international champions sharing the court with India’s top talent, we hope to inspire the next generation and showcase tennis as intense, global, and full of possibility.”
The tournament marks another step in India’s growing ambition to host large-scale global sporting events. Krishnan Kannan, Managing Director of Iconik Sports and Events Ltd., emphasised the wider impact the league aims to have. “Our mission has always been to elevate India’s sporting landscape by bringing top-notch events that excite fans and create a tangible impact. WTL allows us to demonstrate India’s ability to host world-class tournaments while creating opportunities for our own athletes to play alongside international icons,” he said.
“We aim to deliver an experience that goes beyond sport one that brings culture, entertainment, and community together.”
With its fusion of elite tennis and high-energy entertainment, the World Tennis League has quickly carved out a niche on the global tennis calendar. Its India debut is expected to draw diverse audiences—long-time tennis followers, new fans, and those drawn by the league’s mix of competition and spectacle.
As Bengaluru prepares to welcome some of the world’s biggest tennis names this December, the event stands poised to become a landmark moment for Indian sport. More than just a tournament, WTL’s inaugural Indian edition aims to ignite a new wave of enthusiasm for tennis, inspire young athletes, and reinforce India’s growing stature on the global sporting map.
About the World Tennis League
Established in 2022, the World Tennis League is a pioneering global sports- entertainment concept that blends top-tier tennis with live music performances. Licensed and managed by Iconik Sports and Events Ltd. in India, the WTL brings together leading ATP and WTA players in a fast-paced team format.
Previously held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the league is known for delivering immersive fan experiences and high-energy courtside action, redefining the benchmark for modern ‘sportainment’.
