Mahesh Bhupathi Criticizes Indian Tennis System Amid Controversy

The Indian tennis landscape has faced significant upheaval in 2024, primarily attributed to conflicts between the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and prominent players. In response to this turmoil, former doubles tennis champion Mahesh Bhupathi has voiced strong criticism regarding the inadequacies within the country’s tennis infrastructure. His remarks highlight a growing concern about the future of tennis in India as the sport grapples with systemic issues.

Bhupathi’s Critique of AITA and Player Challenges

Bhupathi, a 12-time Grand Slam doubles winner, recently took to social media to express his frustration with Anil Dhupar, who was the Secretary General of AITA at the time. He accused Dhupar of “butchering Indian tennis players,” reflecting a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction with the current management. In a dramatic turn of events, Dhupar has since been removed from his position by AITA’s executive committee, although he has contested this decision in the Delhi High Court.

Adding to the controversy, top-ranked Indian players Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri, who had withdrawn from the Davis Cup amidst the ongoing disputes, have now rejoined the national squad. Bhupathi, in an exclusive discussion with Moneycontrol, emphasized the need for structural improvements within Indian tennis, stating, “There are gaps that are exactly why we don’t see the results that we all as tennis fans want to see.” He firmly believes that without addressing these issues, the prospects for future champions remain bleak.

Bhupathi’s Role Beyond Tennis

Aside from his involvement in tennis, Bhupathi has expanded his career into sports entrepreneurship. He is the CEO of SG Sports, Media and Entertainment, which operates the Delhi SG Pipers in the Hockey India League and the Ahmedabad SG Pipers in the Ultimate Table Tennis tournament. He also co-founded the World Padel League, which recently concluded its third edition. Bhupathi described his interest in padel as a fusion of tennis and squash, noting its increasing popularity in India.

He explained that the padel ecosystem is still in its infancy in the country but offers substantial growth potential. “The league obviously, the kind of quality of players that we have here, the padel fans in India don’t get to see at all,” he remarked, highlighting the sport’s accessibility compared to traditional tennis.

Bhupathi further emphasized the convenience of participating in padel, stating, “There are a lot of Pay and Play arenas, which, unlike tennis, unless you’re a member of a club, it’s very hard to get a tennis court.” He sees a promising future for racquet sports in India, predicting that the growth will continue annually over the next five to six years.

In a related note, Arjun Singh Verma, COO of sports community platform Hudle, echoed Bhupathi’s observations regarding the rise of sports like pickleball in cities such as Surat and Jaipur. He pointed out that despite the growing interest, the infrastructure in smaller cities still lags behind that of major urban centers.

As Indian tennis navigates these challenges, the call for a stronger, more effective system becomes increasingly urgent. Without significant changes, the dream of nurturing future champions may remain just that—a dream.