Kia Tennis Premier League Strengthens Grassroots Push With Telangana State Ranking Tournament in Hyderabad

The Kia Tennis Premier League (TPL) continued its efforts to strengthen the grassroots tennis ecosystem in India by hosting a Telangana State Ranking Tournament in Hyderabad on August 15 and 16 in association with the Telangana State Tennis Association (TSTA).

The two-day tournament brought together young tennis players across five age categories, giving them an opportunity to compete in a structured state-level event while gaining valuable match experience and ranking points.

The tournament featured competitions in Boys Singles Under-10, Boys Singles Under-12, Boys Singles Under-14, Girls Singles Under-12 and Girls Singles Under-14, with the events conducted as part of the Race to Gold Scholarship Program.

For the young players involved, the tournament offered more than the opportunity to win a title. It provided a competitive environment in which they could test their skills against their peers, understand the demands of tournament tennis and begin building a pathway towards higher levels of competition.

Young champions emerge in Hyderabad.

The Boys Under-10 title went to Ayansh Abhilashi, with Month Sai finishing as the runner-up. In the Boys Under-12 category, Hiyan Shah emerged victorious, while Venkatram Jayakrishna finished second. The Boys Under-14 competition saw Adhitya Devarakonda claim the title, with Adyan Kabbir finishing runner-up.

The girls' competitions also produced strong performances. Parivita V. emerged victorious in the Girls Under-12 category, defeating Thanusri C. in the final. Parivita then continued her impressive run by winning the Girls Under-14 title as well, with Upadhriti W. finishing runner-up. The results highlighted the depth of emerging junior talent in Telangana and underlined the importance of providing young players with regular competitive opportunities.

State ranking tournaments play an important role in the development of young athletes by providing competitive exposure at an early stage of their careers. For TPL, the Hyderabad tournament forms part of a broader effort to build a more structured grassroots pathway for Indian tennis.

The tournament allowed players to compete for state ranking points while also gaining experience in a formal competitive setting. Such opportunities can help young athletes understand the demands of tournament preparation, match management and competing under pressure. The Kia Tennis Premier League has indicated that more such tournaments are planned across India in the coming months, with the aim of creating more opportunities for aspiring tennis players to showcase their abilities.

The focus is not only on identifying talent but also on providing young players with the support required to develop over a longer period.

A key component of the initiative is the Race to Gold Scholarship Program, which is designed to provide selected young tennis players with year-long support. The scholarship includes tennis equipment such as a racquet and professional kit bag, while also providing access to specialists, including coaches, nutritionists, physiotherapists and mental trainers.

The programme is intended to address several aspects of athlete development rather than focusing exclusively on on-court performance. Young players also receive opportunities to meet Indian and international tennis players, interact with legends of the sport and experience the Tennis Premier League. For junior athletes, such exposure can play an important role in developing confidence and understanding what a professional tennis environment looks like.

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The broader objective is to ensure that promising players receive consistent support as they progress through the formative years of their careers.

Hyderabad set for another TPL milestone

The State Ranking Tournament also comes at an important time for tennis in Hyderabad. The city is set to host the eighth season of the Kia Tennis Premier League in December, further strengthening the league's connection with the Telangana tennis community. The combination of grassroots competitions and the professional league is intended to create a broader tennis ecosystem in the city, allowing young players to see a potential pathway from junior competition to the professional environment.

Speaking about the tournament, Kunal Thakkur, Co-Founder, Tennis Premier League, emphasised the importance of state-level competitions in developing young players.

“State Ranking Tournaments are an important part of creating a strong pathway for young tennis players,” Thakkur said. “We are delighted to host this tournament in association with TSTA and provide young players with an opportunity to compete, gain experience and grow.”

He added that TPL was looking forward to strengthening its connection with Hyderabad's tennis community. Mrunal Jain, Co-Founder, Tennis Premier League, also highlighted the enthusiasm among the young participants. “It is encouraging to see the enthusiasm and talent among the young players,” Jain said. “Tournaments like these are important for strengthening the grassroots tennis ecosystem, and we look forward to bringing even more attention to the sport in the city.”

The Hyderabad event represents one step in TPL's broader grassroots ambitions. While the winners walked away with titles and the participants earned valuable competitive experience and ranking points, the larger objective is to create more consistent opportunities for young Indian tennis players.

With additional State Ranking Tournaments planned across the country and the Race to Gold Scholarship providing longer-term support, TPL is attempting to connect competition, athlete development and exposure within a single pathway.

The upcoming eighth season in Hyderabad will provide another opportunity to bring that ecosystem together.

For the young players who competed at the State Ranking Tournament, however, the immediate focus remains on development. The titles won in Hyderabad may become an important milestone, but regular competition, access to the right support and sustained exposure will ultimately determine how far this next generation of Indian tennis can progress.