India has a rich tennis tradition, with legendary players like Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi bringing glory to the country in the doubles and mixed doubles formats. However, in singles, Indian players have struggled to break into the top echelons of world tennis. In recent years, Sumit Nagal and Ankita Raina have emerged as India’s top singles players, representing the country at major tournaments like the Australian Open and French Open.

The 2024 season saw Sumit Nagal reach the third round of the Australian Open, a significant achievement for Indian tennis. While his journey on the ATP tour remains challenging, Nagal’s performances have given Indian tennis fans hope. Ankita Raina, on the women’s side, continues to be a consistent performer, regularly competing in Grand Slam qualifiers and WTA tournaments.

Despite the challenges in singles, India remains a force in doubles tennis. Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan continue to compete at the highest level on the ATP circuit, with Bopanna reaching the finals of the 2024 Australian Open mixed doubles. India’s doubles success has also been evident in the Davis Cup, where the team consistently performs well in the World Group stages.

Grassroots development remains a challenge for Indian tennis, with the All India Tennis Association (AITA) working to provide better infrastructure and opportunities for young players. Tennis academies across the country are focusing on developing talent from an early age, but more needs to be done to support players transitioning from junior to professional tennis.

While India may still be a long way from producing a singles Grand Slam champion, the country’s love for tennis remains strong. With continued investment in infrastructure and talent development, Indian tennis could soon see more players breaking into the top ranks of world tennis.