Mahesh Bhupathi Critiques Indian Tennis System Amid Controversies

In 2024, the Indian tennis landscape faced significant upheaval, highlighted by conflicts between the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and prominent players. Amid this turmoil, former doubles tennis champion Mahesh Bhupathi took to social media to address the issues plaguing the sport in India. His criticisms pointed directly at Anil Dhupar, the then Secretary General of AITA, whom he accused of “butchering Indian tennis players.” This statement underscored deeper concerns regarding the structure and support for tennis in the country.

Fast forward to August 2025, and there have been notable changes within AITA. Dhupar has since been dismissed from his position, prompting him to challenge this decision in the Delhi High Court. The controversy surrounding the association intensified when two of India’s top players, Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri, who had withdrawn from the Davis Cup, returned to the national squad.

Bhupathi Reflects on Systemic Issues

In a recent conversation with Moneycontrol, Bhupathi elaborated on the challenges facing Indian tennis. Despite acknowledging the difficulties, he refrained from placing blame on the players themselves. He articulated a critical view of the systemic failures that hinder the development of champions in the sport.

“There are gaps that are exactly why we don’t see the results that we all as tennis fans want to see. Until those gaps are filled, which are not the players’ fault, I don’t think we’ll see too many miracles,” said Bhupathi. “But when there’s no system in your country, it’s very hard to produce champions in any sport; that’s the bottom line.”

Bhupathi’s insights highlight a pressing need for reform within the Indian tennis framework. He emphasized that players must not be demotivated by external criticism, as they are striving to perform at their best in a challenging environment.

Expanding Horizons in Padel and Other Sports

Since retiring from professional tennis in 2016, Bhupathi has diversified his career. He now serves as the CEO of SG Sports, Media and Entertainment (SGSE), which oversees franchises in various sports leagues, including the Delhi SG Pipers in the Hockey India League and the Ahmedabad SG Pipers in the Ultimate Table Tennis tournament. Furthermore, he co-founded the World Padel League, recently concluding its third edition.

Bhupathi has expressed a keen interest in the growing popularity of padel, describing it as “a mix of tennis and squash.” He noted that the sport’s accessibility and the rise of courts in both tier one and tier two cities present a significant opportunity for expansion in India.

“The consumer is just excited about being able to play a sport, and it’s also accessible. 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 explained.

As the padel ecosystem continues to develop, Bhupathi remains optimistic about its trajectory. He anticipates that the sport will grow significantly over the next five to six years, highlighting the potential it holds for attracting new players and fans.

In a similar vein, Arjun Singh Verma, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the sports community platform Hudle, noted a surge in sports participation, particularly in pickleball, across various Indian cities. He acknowledged, however, that infrastructure remains a challenge outside major urban centers.

The ongoing discussions about the future of Indian tennis and emerging sports like padel and pickleball signal a critical juncture for athletes and administrators alike. As Bhupathi and others advocate for systemic improvements, the hope remains that India can foster a thriving sports culture that nurtures champions across disciplines.