Mark your calendars! The World Tennis League (WTL), a dynamic team-based tennis competition, is all set to launch its inaugural Indian edition in Bengaluru from December 17-20. Following successful seasons in the UAE, the WTL will make its much-anticipated debut at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium.
This exciting event will feature a formidable lineup of world-class tennis players. Attendees can anticipate seeing top-ranked talents such as Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, and Elena Rybakina in action. The roster also includes Paula Badosa, Indian tennis icon Rohan Bopanna, the showman Gael Monfils, promising French player Arthur Fils, and the rapidly improving Sumit Nagal. Furthermore, Magda Linette and Marta Kostyuk will add to the international star power.
Adding a significant Indian flavor to the competition, the WTL has also confirmed the participation of several leading Indian players. Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Maaya Revathi, Dhakshineswar Suresh, and Shivika Burman are slated to compete, providing a valuable platform for homegrown talent.
World No. 5 Elena Rybakina expressed her eagerness to play in India for the first time. “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.” Her anticipation is shared by many who have followed her career.
The WTL employs a unique team format with four squads competing over four days. The tournament structure includes a round-robin phase, where each team plays matches consisting of men’s singles, women’s singles, and two doubles rubbers. The top two teams will then advance to compete in the grand final.
Mahesh Bhupathi, the visionary co-founder of WTL and a legendary figure in doubles tennis, spoke about the significance of bringing the league to 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 conveyed.
