AITA names Indian tennis squad for 2026 Asian Games

The All India Tennis Association has named India's tennis squads for the 20th Asian Games in Japan. Sumit Nagal and Sahaja Yamalapalli will lead the campaign, with the teams featuring a mix of experienced doubles specialists and promising singles players

New Delhi: India’s top-ranked singles players Sumit Nagal and Sahaja Yamalapalli will spearhead the country’s tennis campaign at the 20th Asian Games in Japan as the All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Monday picked six-member men’s and women’s squads for the continental showpiece.

The team was selected by the AITA’s selection committee under the chairmanship of Nandan Bal and features a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, with the federation banking on a blend of current form and future potential for success in Japan.

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The men’s squad comprises world No. 277 Sumit Nagal, young Manas Dhamne (ranked 378) and Dhakshineswar Suresh (ranked 478), the hero of India’s last Davis Cup tie. There are also three doubles specialists in the squad led by Yuki Bhambri (world No. 24), N Sriram Balaji (world No. 61) and Anirudh Chandrasekar (world No. 90).

Karan Singh, Rithvik Bollipalli and Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha have been named as reserves.

In the women’s section, India No. 1 and world No. 332 Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaishnavi Adkar (396) and Vaidehee Choudhari (417) are the singles players in the squad.

Rutuja Bhosale (ranked 125), Prarthana Thombare (181) and Ankita Raina (185) have been selected, with Zeel Desai and Shruti Ahlawat listed as reserves.

AITA Secretary General Sunder Iyer said the selection committee had carefully assessed performances on the professional circuit before finalising the squad.

“The Selection Committee has carefully evaluated performances across the professional circuit and selected a team that combines experience, current form and future potential. We are confident that this group of athletes will represent India with distinction at the Asian Games in Nagoya,” Iyer said.

The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

AITA also extended its congratulations to the selected players and pledged full support in their preparations for the Games.