Sumit Nagal, Sahaja Yamalapalli to Lead India’s Tennis Challenge at 2026 Asian Games

India’s top-ranked singles players Sumit Nagal and Sahaja Yamalapalli will spearhead the country’s tennis campaign at the 2026 Asian Games after the All India Tennis Association (AITA) announced six-member men’s and women’s squads for the continental showpiece in Japan.

The team, selected by the AITA selection committee chaired by former India player Nandan Bal, combines experienced campaigners and emerging talent as India looks to make a strong impact at the Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

Nagal, currently India’s highest-ranked men’s singles player at world No. 277, headlines the men’s squad. He will be joined by rising prospect Manas Dhamne, ranked 378 in the world, and Dhakshineswar Suresh, who earned plaudits for his performances in India’s recent Davis Cup campaign and is currently ranked 478.

The men’s contingent also features three accomplished doubles specialists. Yuki Bhambri, ranked 24th in the ATP doubles rankings, leads the group alongside N Sriram Balaji (world No. 61) and Anirudh Chandrasekar (world No. 90). Karan Singh, Rithvik Bollipalli and Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha have been named as reserve players.

In the women’s section, Sahaja Yamalapalli, India’s top-ranked female singles player and world No. 332, will lead the challenge. She is joined by Vaishnavi Adkar (396) and Vaidehee Chaudhari (417), both of whom have enjoyed encouraging seasons on the professional circuit.

The women’s squad also includes experienced doubles campaigners Rutuja Bhosale, Prarthana Thombare and Ankita Raina. Rutuja is currently ranked 125th in doubles, while Thombare and Raina occupy world rankings of 181 and 185 respectively. Zeel Desai and Shruti Ahlawat have been named as reserves.

AITA Secretary General Sunder Iyer said the selection committee placed significant emphasis on current form and future potential while finalising the squads.

“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.

India has traditionally enjoyed success in tennis at the Asian Games, particularly in doubles and mixed doubles events. The inclusion of established doubles specialists such as Bhambri, Balaji, Chandrasekar, Raina and Thombare is expected to boost the country’s medal prospects in Japan.

At the same time, the selection of young players such as Dhamne and Adkar reflects the federation’s intent to invest in the next generation of Indian tennis talent while maintaining a competitive edge at the continental level.

With a balanced squad featuring experienced performers and promising youngsters, India will hope to challenge the leading Asian nations and add to its rich tennis legacy when the Games begin in Nagoya later this year.