NEW DELHI: The highly anticipated sixth edition of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) is just around the corner, and this year, Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna will make his debut in the tournament, which will take place in Mumbai this December. Currently ranked world number 6 in men’s doubles, Bopanna’s participation adds significant star power to the league.
At 44, Bopanna remains one of India’s most accomplished and beloved tennis players. He has secured two Grand Slam titles, winning the Australian Open in 2024 (Men’s Doubles) and the French Open in 2017 (Mixed Doubles). The Bangalore native has also represented India in three Olympic Games, with his best finish being fourth in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
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Earlier this year, he became the oldest player to achieve World No. 1 in men’s doubles, a testament to his enduring skill and competitiveness.
Bopanna joins an elite group of Indian tennis stars, including Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza, as the only Indian players to win a Grand Slam and reach the top of the tennis rankings. All four are actively supporting the TPL, which aims to revolutionize Indian tennis and make the sport more accessible to fans.
Having spent nearly two decades on the ATP Tour, Bopanna will now experience the unique format of the TPL, which promises a fast-paced and exciting version of tennis. In this innovative league, each franchise plays five matches to qualify for the semi-finals, with the revolutionary 25-point format providing a thrilling spectacle.
Each match between two franchises consists of Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, and Men’s Doubles, with 100 points at stake in total. The top four teams on the points table will advance to the semi-finals.
Bopanna will be competing alongside stars like India’s Sumit Nagal, France’s Hugo Gaston, and Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan at the historic Cricket Club of India, a venue that has hosted some of India’s most memorable tennis moments. “I’m thrilled to join the Tennis Premier League, especially with its innovative 25-point format. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the year,” said Bopanna. “Tournaments like the TPL are key to grassroots development and will inspire a new generation of young tennis players.”
Kunal Thakkur, Co-Founder of the TPL, expressed his excitement about Bopanna’s participation, saying, “Having Rohan Bopanna onboard is a huge boost for us. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and his presence will elevate the competition and inspire all the players.”
Mrunal Jain, Co-Founder of the TPL, echoed this sentiment: “Rohan Bopanna is a true icon of Indian tennis. His participation will not only draw attention in Mumbai but also across the global tennis community. We can’t wait for the exciting matches ahead in Season 6.”
The Tennis Premier League Season 6 promises to be an action-packed event with Bopanna and other top players battling it out for the coveted title in December.