Tennis Premier League: Grand Slam Champion Rohan Bopanna Set to Make Debut in Season 6

The sixth edition of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) is fast approaching, and Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna is ready to compete in Mumbai this December. Bopanna, who was once ranked World No. 1, is currently ranked sixth in men’s doubles. This will be his first appearance at the Tennis Premier League, a tournament that is changing how the sport is viewed and played in India. The TPL has successfully completed five seasons, and with Season 6, the excitement is set to reach new heights.

At 44, Bopanna has an impressive career, with two Grand Slam titles to his name. He won the Australian Open in men’s doubles in 2024 and the French Open mixed doubles in 2017. He has also represented India in three Olympics, achieving his best finish in 2016 with a fourth-place result in Rio. Hailing from Bangalore, he holds the record for being the oldest player to become World No. 1, achieving this milestone earlier this year. With over 25 career titles, Bopanna joins an elite group of Indian tennis players, including Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza, who have reached the pinnacle of the tennis rankings and also support the league.

Rohan Bopanna’s Experience Joins a New Format

Bopanna’s career, which has spanned almost two decades on the ATP Tour, will take a fresh turn as he competes in the TPL’s innovative format. The league uses a 25-point format, with each franchise playing five matches to qualify for the semi-finals. Each match includes men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles. There are 100 points to win in every match, spread across all four categories, making a total of 500 points at the league stage. The top four teams on the points table will advance to the semi-finals.

Bopanna will be joining players like India’s Sumit Nagal, France’s Hugo Gaston, and Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan, as they compete for the championship at the historic Cricket Club of India, a venue that has hosted many iconic tennis events in India.

“I’m excited to be part of the Tennis Premier League, especially with its new 25-point format. It’s a fantastic way to end the year. I believe that tournaments like the TPL, which focus on grassroots development, will inspire the next generation of tennis players,” Bopanna shared.

TPL Welcomes Bopanna’s Presence

Kunal Thakkur, Co-Founder of the Tennis Premier League, expressed his excitement about Bopanna joining the league. “Having Rohan Bopanna, a former World No. 1 and one of the most respected tennis players, is incredible for TPL. His experience will boost the league and push the other players to perform even better.”

Mrunal Jain, Co-Founder of TPL, added, “Rohan Bopanna is a tennis legend in India, and we are thrilled to have him in Season 6. His presence will not only create a buzz in Mumbai but also around the global tennis community. We are looking forward to seeing some thrilling matches with him and the other players.”

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