Tennis fans in India are in for a treat as the World Tennis League (WTL) announces its much-anticipated India debut. Scheduled to take place in Bengaluru from December 17-20, this exciting four-day tournament will be held at the prestigious SM Krishna Tennis Stadium. This marks a significant expansion for the WTL, which has garnered considerable attention in the UAE over its previous three seasons.
The league has assembled a truly world-class field of players. Spearheading the lineup are tennis superstars Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios, alongside the formidable Elena Rybakina and the talented Paula Badosa. Indian tennis stalwart Rohan Bopanna is set to grace the courts, accompanied by the charismatic Gael Monfils, rising star Arthur Fils, and India’s own Sumit Nagal. The impressive list of international participants also includes Magda Linette and Marta Kostyuk.
Further elevating the competition, the WTL will feature a selection of India’s brightest tennis talents. Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Maaya Revathi, Dhakshineswar Suresh, and Shivika Burman are all set to compete, offering Indian audiences a chance to cheer for their home heroes against international stars.
World No. 5 Elena Rybakina shared her excitement about the upcoming event, stating, “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.” This sentiment underscores the global appeal of the WTL.
The WTL is structured with four teams competing in a compelling round-robin format. Each day’s schedule will feature men’s singles, women’s singles, and two doubles matches. The two highest-ranked teams after the round-robin stage will then battle it out in the final championship match.
Mahesh Bhupathi, a co-founder of the WTL and a revered figure in tennis history, expressed his vision for the league’s presence in India. “India has always shared a deep and lasting connection with tennis, and the WTL’s arrival here is an opportunity to strengthen that bond. As someone who has lived the sport, I believe this format brings out the fast, dynamic, and engaging side of the competition. With international champions sharing the court with India’s top talent, we hope to inspire the next generation of players and showcase tennis as a sport that is intense, global, and full of possibility,” he explained.