Racquet Science: Paes’ Successors Crafting India’s Olympic Tennis Titans of Tomorrow

Updated: November 23, 2025 10:40

With Leander Paes standing as India’s last Olympic tennis medalist, a new generation of young talent is emerging to rewrite India’s tennis narrative. Grassroots initiatives like the Tennis Premier League’s ‘Race to Gold’ are scouting emerging athletes, aiming to nurture Olympic contenders for 2036 and beyond, signaling a bright tennis future.

Leander Paes has long been the beacon of Indian tennis, being the only Indian to win an Olympic medal in tennis and representing the country for over two decades. As the sport evolves in India, there is growing optimism about the young generation who could continue and expand his legacy at the Olympics in the next decade.

The Search for Successors

The Tennis Premier League (TPL) has launched ‘Race to Gold,’ a nationwide scouting and development initiative targeting children aged 10-14 from across India’s diverse regions, including smaller towns. The goal is to build a formidable pool of Indian tennis talent by 2036, when India will host the Olympics. This program breaks the myth that tennis is an elite sport and focuses on grassroots development.

Expanding Reach and Opportunities

TPL’s tiered tournaments facilitate talent identification and nurturing through a ranking system similar to the ATP. Winners receive scholarships, premium kits, and exposure to training with veterans like Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna. This structured pipeline is designed to progressively enlarge the talent base from district to national levels, scaling annually in participant numbers.

Promising Young Players

India’s juniors like Maaya Rajeshwaran, Kriish Ajay Tyagi, and others are already making waves internationally, signaling the country’s rising potential. With continuous support and development infrastructures, they, along with many budding players, will carry forward the Olympic dream started by Paes.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Leander Paes and contemporaries like Vijay Amritraj and Rohan Bopanna have set high standards in international tennis. With their influence and ongoing involvement in mentoring, the foundation exists for India to aim higher than before in global tennis circuits and Olympic success.

Sources: Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Indian Today Sports, Olympics.com, Tennis Premier League, ESPN, Moneycontrol.

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