Asian Games Tennis Selection Row: AITA Refutes Omissions Claims as Tensions Escalate

NEW DELHI: The selection controversy surrounding India’s tennis contingent for the 2026 Asian Games has intensified, with the All India Tennis Association (AITA) firing back at claims that it failed to nominate excluded players for the marquee event.

The national federation has categorically rejected reports attributed to Sports Authority of India (SAI) sources, which suggested that the omitted athletes—Manas Dhamne, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaishnavi Adkar, Vaidehee Chaudhari, and Prarthana Thombare—were missing from the initial shortlist submitted to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Evidence of Representation

To challenge these claims, the AITA has pointed to a detailed, four-page letter dated July 3, addressed to IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer. The document, accessed by TimesofIndia.com, confirms that AITA Secretary General Sunder Iyer made an “urgent representation” seeking a review of the exclusion of these specific players, alongside veteran star Ankita Raina.

In the correspondence, the AITA argued that the national contingent should be built to maximize medal potential across all five tennis events, rather than adhering to rigid, uniform ranking criteria that do not account for the nuances of doubles combinations or developmental prospects.

The Case for the Players

The federation’s defense of the excluded quartet focuses on objective medal opportunities. The AITA highlighted that India holds three mixed doubles pairs within the top-eight accepted entries. Under current rules, countries are limited to two pairs; the AITA argued that by excluding specialists like Prarthana Thombare, the nation is effectively leaving medals on the table.

Beyond the doubles circuit, the federation advocated for the inclusion of rising talent and top-ranked competitors:

• Sahaja Yamalapalli: Currently India’s highest-ranked women’s singles player.
• Manas Dhamne: The 18-year-old is viewed as a vital prospect for long-term Olympic development.
• Vaishnavi Adkar and Vaidehee Chaudhari: Backed for their consistent international tour performances and multi-sport credentials.

Ministry Holds Firm

Despite the growing outcry—which notably includes sharp criticism from two-time Asian Games medalist Rohan Bopanna—the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports remains steadfast. The current policy mandates that singles players must rank within Asia’s top six and doubles players within the top eight over a 12-month evaluation period.

The Ministry maintains that granting discretionary exceptions for players ranked between 25th and 40th in Asia would compromise administrative integrity and invite potential litigation from other sporting federations.

Bopanna, however, has been vocal about the detrimental impact of this “paper-based” selection process. “A committee that never stood where they stood has decided their fate on paper, before a ball is struck,” Bopanna stated, arguing that such restrictive policies discourage the growth of a sporting culture.

As the standoff continues, the Indian tennis team for the Games currently remains limited to Sumit Nagal (men’s singles), alongside Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Saketh Myneni, Ankita Raina, and Rutuja Bhosale, leaving the future of the remaining hopefuls in limbo.