The 2025 Davis Cup, the 113th edition of the multi-national tournament and part of the 2025 ATP Tour, commenced earlier this year on January 31st. It is only reaching its hind end now, but not before a history-scripting moment from Team India at the tournament. The Indian Tennis team defeated Switzerland 3-1 in their Davis Cup 2025 World Group I tie at the Swiss Tennis Arena in Biel on Saturday (13th September). This is huge in the context of Indian tennis and where it’s at, now. Only after 32 years did an Indian team defeat a European team at a Davis Cup tie, and it’s a monumental moment for not only Indian tennis but Indian sports. Could this be a watershed moment for India? We will have to find out.
Switzerland, ninth-seeded in the Davis Cup 2025, lost 1-3 to India and failed to make the cut for next year’s qualifiers. They are now relegated to the Davis Cup 2026 World Group I play-offs. Whereas India will now compete in the Davis Cup 2026 qualifiers next year, either in January or February.
India dominated the game from the very start. It started with Dhaksineshwar Suresh beating Jerome Kym 7(7) – 6(4), 6-3 to give India a 1-0 lead. In Match 2, Sumit Nagal extended the lead by beating Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-3, 7(7) – 6(4), and India was sitting comfortably with a 2-0 lead.
The win was nigh for India. Except, a small hurdle that lay in India’s way was the doubles match, part of every Davis Cup tie. N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bollipalli teamed up for the doubles match against Jakub Paul and Dominic Stricker of Switzerland. The Swiss duo defeated the Indian doubles partners 6(3) – 7(7), 6-4, 7-5 to keep Switzerland in the hunt for a win. However, it was Sumit Nagal’s final blow that sealed the deal for India. He beat Henry Bernet 6-1, 6-3 to win the game and script history for India.
The last time India defeated a major European nation at a Davis Cup draw was in 1993, when a Leander Paes and Ramesh Krishnan-led India beat France 3-2 in the quarter-finals. The win was massive, but whether it could lead to a watershed moment in India’s rise in tennis is yet to be seen. It is mainly because the All-India Tennis Association (AITA) is marred by countless hurdles and hindrances. Here’s how the infrastructure and a lack of a structural model are hurting Indian tennis, and how good management from the top-down approach can benefit India tremendously.
All Indian Tennis Federation Struggles and a Hope to Cure It with Good Management
While it is a proud moment for all of India that the national tennis team defeated Switzerland, a European team, it also shines a mirror into our own system. The All-India Tennis Association has failed on multiple administrative levels and has been doing so for many years now. From logistical nightmares to scheduling issues to administration and infrastructure problems, the AITA has shown very little care towards building up the tennis culture and encouraging the players. There’s been an apathy towards Indian tennis players in the past, which has come up in myriad ways.
One such example was prevalent during the recently concluded Davis Cup match between India and Switzerland. The AITA did not want to spare 3 pairs of doubles players for the tournament, citing budgetary constraints. Meanwhile, they flew in numerous officials who had little to nothing to do with the game itself. This move could’ve cost heavily for India, since an extra pair of players helps as a backup. If not for Captain Rohit Rajpal’s astute and resolute pushback, India could’ve been in troubled waters.
Rohit Rajpal was adamant that India take a surplus of players to maintain the balance throughout the tournament. He pushed back against the administration about it, and it proved handy when ace tennis player Yuki Bhambri pulled out of the tournament due to an abdominal tissue tear. Rajpal’s efforts ensured that Rithvik Bollipalli stepped in in Bhambri’s place.
What’s more is that some of these players had to reach this level of expertise with very little support from AITA. Tennis player Dhakshineshwar Suresh had to fund himself for almost everything, from travel costs, equipment, training, and outfit, before reaching this level. Similarly, when Sumit Nagal bowed out of the Davis Cup 2024 due to a back issue, the AITA didn’t show any empathy or support.
Instead, they accused him of prioritizing money over national duty. It was an appalling statement, given Nagal’s commitment to sport and representing the country at the highest level. Nagal had responded sternly, showing how much playing for India means to him. This year, he put all his doubters to bed and brought glory to India.
The pattern has repeated multiple times with the Indian Tennis Association, and it continues to this day – Recognition is bare minimum, but criticism is through the roof. There’s been very little effort made to improve conditions at the grassroots level and to take care of the financial pipeline. Whereas, when it comes to taking credit for any win, the AITA always takes the front seat.
While things still look bleak in the management front, India’s rising Sports Management program and its adoption by several renowned MBA colleges, such as MBA ESG, serve as a beacon of hope. Given the exceptional talent in Indian athletes, a robust management program, and a working structure are all that’s required. A dynamic and proficient Sports Management program can just be the start of a solution needed in Indian tennis.
