The selection process for the Indian tennis team participating in the Asian Games has faced scrutiny following comments from two-time Asian Games gold medallist Rohan Bopanna. Bopanna expressed strong disapproval regarding the exclusion of several young tennis players from the seven-member squad. He stated on social media that a committee, which he suggested lacked direct experience in competitive play, made decisions on paper without considering the players’ on-court performance and capabilities.
The excluded players include Manas Dhamne (men’s singles), Vaishnavi Adkar (women’s singles), Sahaja Yamalapalli (women’s singles), Vaidehee Chaudhari (women’s doubles), and Prarthana Thombare (women’s doubles). These players were not included in the final squad that will represent India at the Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
Ministry and AITA on Selection Criteria
The sports ministry maintained that the selection adhered to established norms, which were set in September of the previous year. According to these criteria, an individual athlete in singles events needed to be among the top six in Asia, and for doubles, ranked within the top eight in Asia over a 12-month period. The ministry clarified that the excluded players did not meet these specific requirements.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) reportedly asserted that the issue extended beyond individual athletes, emphasizing the importance of fielding the strongest possible Indian tennis contingent. However, a source from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) indicated that the names of the five excluded players were not part of the long list submitted by the AITA to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and therefore were not forwarded to the sports ministry.
A source from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) stated that creating “discretionary back-channel clearances” for tennis players ranked between 25th and 40th in Asia would compromise administrative integrity and could lead to legal challenges from other National Sports Federations (NSFs). The ministry’s position is that the Asian Games are not intended as “exposure tours.”
Players’ Reactions and Squad Details
The players who were not selected voiced their disappointment. Vaidehee Chaudhari, who is India’s number three in women’s singles, commented that while medal victories are not guaranteed, athletes deserve the opportunity to compete. Sahaja Yamalapalli, India’s number one in singles, expressed her disappointment, noting that the players had been performing well recently and were looking forward to representing India.
Bopanna questioned the necessity of strict qualification benchmarks and rankings, highlighting that players like India’s number one and two in women’s singles earned their rankings through effort, without shortcuts or favors. He argued that denying them the chance to compete goes against the principles of building a sporting nation.
The final Indian tennis squad for the Asian Games includes Sumit Nagal as the sole singles player. The doubles teams comprise Ramkumar Ramanathan, Saketh Myneni, Yuki Bhambri, Rutuja Bhosale, and Ankita Raina.
The AITA had initially picked a 12-member squad in June for the continental event, but the ministry’s criteria led to the exclusion of five players from that list. The sports ministry has made it clear that the selection criteria will not be relaxed.
Prarthana Thombare was part of the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, where Indian tennis players secured two medals in doubles. In 2018, Ankita Raina and Prajnesh Gunneswaran earned bronze medals in singles.
The Sports Ministry allocated a budget of Rs 10.05 crore for tennis in its 2026-27 Annual Competition and Training Calender (ACTC).
Source: newindianexpress.com
Ananya Iyer is a reporter at Latest News, covering society, culture and human-interest stories from across India.
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