Karan Singh: From Clay Courts in Karnal to the ATP Circuit A Young Star’s Tennis Journey

In a country where cricket often overshadows other sports, Karan Singh’s rise in Indian tennis is a story of quiet resilience, self-motivation, and unrelenting belief. The 2021 U18 National Champion is part of a growing generation of Indian players who are grinding it out on the international circuit, one point and one match at a time, with dreams of making India a tennis powerhouse.

But for Karan, it all began on a school court.

Early Beginnings: From Schoolyard Fascination to Lifelong Passion

Born in Karnal, Haryana, Karan’s journey with tennis started by chance. During school lunch breaks, he would watch local players play on the tennis court on campus. While he dabbled in other sports like volleyball, football, and cricket, something about tennis caught his imagination and never let go.

“I was fascinated watching them. Tennis became my first love, and now it’s my profession,” he recalls.

It was more than a hobby. It quickly became an obsession one that would shape his days, routines, and future.

Family Support and a Father’s Determination

Karan’s tennis dreams found fertile ground at home. His father, recognizing his son’s passion, went above and beyond — literally building four clay courts on their farm in Karnal to ensure Karan could train regularly. More than just a supporter, his father was his first coach, mentor, and lifelong motivator.

“My father has always been my pillar. He wants me to be the number one player in the world and I want to fulfil that dream,” Karan says with quiet determination.

During the COVID lockdown, when training facilities shut down across the country, those home courts once again became Karan’s refuge. He trained diligently under his father’s guidance and emerged from the pandemic stronger, eventually winning the U18 national title in 2021.

No Role Models, Just a Vision

Ask Karan about his role models, and he gives an answer that reflects a maturity beyond his years.

“I don’t believe in the role model concept. Everyone has their own struggle,” he says. “I want to do really well on the circuit and become an inspiration for young boys and girls in India.”

That said, he enjoys watching Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal players known for their grit and never-say-die attitude. “I’d love to play against them someday,” he adds with a hopeful grin.

Life at NTC: Professional Training and Big Dreams

Today, Karan is based at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Delhi’s DLTA complex, training under India’s Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali and supported by a scholarship from the All India Tennis Association (AITA).

“This is my first experience in a professional academy. It’s been amazing,” he shares. “To train with coaches like Zeeshan Sir and Arun Sir it’s improved my game tremendously.”

From on-court sessions to fitness routines, and even nutrition and lodging, everything is taken care of at NTC. “I feel lucky to be here. I hope to train here for many years to come,” he says.

Learning to Travel, Learning to Win

Karan’s calendar is now packed with tournaments. He’s playing ATP Challengers, attending the Davis Cup camp, and preparing to travel for ITF Futures in international locations that offer back-to-back tournaments.

“For now, I’m focused on getting as many matches under my belt as possible,” he says. “By early next year, I want to transition to Challenger events. Representing India is my biggest goal.”

He recently earned his first-ever ATP point at the M15 Indore a major stepping stone for any aspiring pro. But the road hasn’t always been smooth.

He was scheduled to play in Thailand and Qatar earlier this year, but both events got cancelled. “It was disappointing, but I took it positively and used that time to work on my game,” he says with pragmatism.

Highs, Lows, and No Regrets

Every athlete has a match they remember forever. For Karan, it was the Fenesta U16 final against Udit Gogoi where he saved three match points to clinch the title.

“That win really gave me belief,” he says.

And regrets?

“I don’t keep regrets,” he shrugs. “You just learn from every match and move forward.”

That forward-looking mentality defines his approach to defeats too. “What’s done is done. I don’t overthink. I learn and move on.”

The Harsh Reality of Funding

Despite being one of India’s promising young tennis players, Karan still struggles with the financial demands of the sport. He briefly had a sponsorship deal with HEAD, but that ended in January. Today, his father remains his sole supporter.

“It’s a tough world for tennis players. But my father never says no to anything. I want to make him proud,” he says, the gratitude in his voice unmistakable.

Tennis and Life, Day by Day

A typical day in Karan’s life is rigorous. Training three times a day, along with multiple fitness sessions, leaves little room for anything else.

“It gets tiring, but I try to keep my focus on the bigger goal,” he says. “Sundays are off, so I mostly just sleep!” he laughs.

And even in rest, tennis is never too far.

“I sometimes think about my game even in sleep,” he says. “I might be hitting a cross-court winner at 3 am in Philippe Chatrier.”

Adapting to Surfaces, Evolving His Game

Karan grew up on clay courts, which shaped the foundation of his game. But training at DLTA has helped him become more versatile.

“I’m comfortable now on both clay and hard courts,” he says. “Right now, I’m aggressively working on my serve it’s one area where I want to grow.”

The Road Ahead

Karan Singh is in the early chapters of what could be a remarkable tennis journey. With the right support, more match experience, and the mental strength he already possesses, he has all the tools to break through.

His ambitions are clear play against the best, represent India, and become a player young aspirants look up to.

“I want India to be known as a tennis nation, like the US or Europe,” he says.

Rohan Bopanna

And if his current trajectory is anything to go by, Karan might just lead that transformation from the front one serve, one rally, and one dream at a time.