Who is Dhakshineswar Suresh Who Stunned Daniil Medvedev In World Tennis League?

Dhakshineswar Suresh- known to teammates simply as “DK”- has suddenly become one of Indian tennis’s most compelling new figures. The 25-year-old from Madurai is not just imposing in stature; he is now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the sport’s elite.

Contents

Dhakshineswar Suresh Stuns Daniil Medvedev

On December 19, 2025, Suresh delivered what many are already calling the “shot heard round the world.” Competing for the Aussie Mavericks Kites at the World Tennis League in Bengaluru, the unheralded Indian stunned former World No. 1 and Grand Slam champion Daniil Medvedev, sealing a dramatic 6–4 victory.

For a player ranked outside the ATP Top 400, the win was seismic. It propelled his team into the tournament final and offered unmistakable proof of Suresh’s top-tier ceiling. Earlier that same day, he had already showcased his big-match temperament- partnering Nick Kyrgios in a high-octane doubles clash against Medvedev and Indian legend Rohan Bopanna. By nightfall, Suresh was no longer a name whispered among insiders; he was a headline.

Also Read: World Tennis League 2025: Prize Money Breakdown

Who is Dhakshineswar Suresh?

Dhakshineswar Suresh (born 29 March 2000) is an Indian tennis player. Suresh made his ATP main draw debut at the 2024 Winston-Salem Open after receiving a wildcard into the doubles main draw with Luca Pow. He has a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 519 achieved on 20 October 2025 and a doubles ranking of No. 352 achieved on 18 August 2025.

In 2020, a severe back injury, compounded by the global COVID-19 shutdown, threatened to end his professional ambitions before they had truly begun. At a crossroads, he took advice from Indian tennis icon Somdev Devvarman and charted an unconventional path- heading to the United States to pursue collegiate tennis.

The decision proved transformative. After a dominant spell at Georgia Gwinnett College in the NAIA circuit, Suresh transferred to Wake Forest University, where his game- and confidence- reached new heights. By 2024, he had climbed to No. 1 in the ITA doubles rankings. In 2025, he played a pivotal role in leading Wake Forest to the NCAA Indoor Championship, clinching the title with a signature ace under pressure.

A Rare Power Profile in Indian Tennis

Suresh’ first serve regularly exceeds 200 km/h and has drawn rave reviews from opponents. Estonia’s Mark Lajal famously described it as “the heaviest serve I’ve ever faced.” From the baseline, Suresh unleashes a flat, penetrating forehand designed to dictate rallies rather than survive them.

Equally important has been his mental growth. Under the mentorship of Devvarman and former ATP professional Brian Baker, Suresh has developed a calm, clutch temperament. That composure was on full display during his 2025 Davis Cup debut, where he dispatched Switzerland’s Jerome Kym in straight sets.