Rohan Bopanna is gearing up to make his debut in the Tennis Premier League (TPL) for its sixth season, becoming one of the major highlights of this year's edition.
Key Highlights
The much-awaited sixth edition of the Tennis Premier League is scheduled to kick off in December in Mumbai, featuring former World No. 1 Rohan Bopanna. Currently ranked sixth globally in men’s doubles, Bopanna’s participation will bring a fresh dynamic to the tournament.
As one of India’s most celebrated tennis players, this marks Bopanna’s first appearance in the TPL. The league, which has already seen five successful seasons, aims to elevate the excitement with his addition.
At 44, Bopanna has had a stellar career, including two Grand Slam titles: the 2024 Australian Open in men’s doubles and the 2017 French Open in mixed doubles. He has represented India in three Olympic Games, with his best finish being fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics. A native of Bangalore, Bopanna set a record as the oldest player to reach the World No. 1 doubles ranking earlier this year. With over 25 career titles, he joins the ranks of other Indian tennis legends such as Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza, all of whom have lent their support to the TPL.
After nearly two decades on the ATP Tour, Bopanna is embracing TPL's innovative format. The league's structure involves five matches during the league stage, each using a 25-point format. Every contest between franchises consists of men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles, with a total of 100 points available per match. The teams can accumulate up to 500 points during the league phase, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.
Bopanna's Thoughts
Expressing his excitement, Bopanna said, “I’m thrilled to become part of the Tennis Premier League, especially with its innovative 25-point format. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the year. Tournaments like TPL, which focus on grassroots development, will inspire more young players.”
Bopanna will compete alongside talents like India’s Sumit Nagal, France’s Hugo Gaston, and Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan at the renowned Cricket Club of India, a venue known for hosting some of India’s most iconic tennis events.
