Rohan Bopanna Academy Launches Elite Player Program with Motilal Oswal

The Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy (RBTA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary by launching the Motilal Oswal Foundation Advantage Program, a three-year development pathway for emerging Indian tennis talent. The program has already signed three promising players: Vaishnavi Adkar, Dhakshineswar Suresh, and Prarthana Thombare. These athletes will receive comprehensive support including world-class coaching, physiotherapy, and tournament planning. Led by founder Rohan Bopanna, the initiative aims to build a stronger ecosystem to help Indian players compete successfully on the international stage.

Key Points: Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy Launches Advantage Program

  • 10-year academy milestone
  • 3-year player development pathway
  • Supports three top-ranked Indian players
  • Provides coaching and sports science
  • Aims for global competitiveness
3 min read

Rohan Bopanna tennis academy marks 10 years with launch of Motilal Oswal Foundation Advantage Program

Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy partners with Motilal Oswal Foundation to support India's next elite tennis stars with a 3-year development pathway.

"This program is about providing the right ecosystem... so talented athletes can focus on competing - Rohan Bopanna"

New Delhi, March 7

Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy celebrates 10 years of developing tennis talent in India, according to a release.

The academy is proud to announce the launch of the Motilal Oswal Foundation Advantage Program, a landmark partnership aimed at supporting India's next wave of elite tennis players.

In collaboration with the Motilal Oswal Foundation, RBTA has initiated a three-year development pathway designed to nurture and accelerate emerging Indian talent, providing structured support, world-class coaching, and sports science expertise to help players compete on the global stage.

As part of the program, RBTA has currently signed three promising players:

1) Vaishnavi Adkar is currently No. 2 in India and No. 468 in the world singles rankings. Last month, while training at RBTA, Adkar became the first Indian woman in 17 years to reach the final of an ITF W100 or higher-level event at the KPB Trust ITF W100 Women's Open in Bengaluru

2) Dhakshineswar Suresh is currently No. 5 in India and No. 472 in the world singles rankings. Suresh played a critical role in India's recent Davis Cup triumph, winning both his singles matches and the doubles rubber to lead the nation to a 3-2 win over the Netherlands

3) Prarthana Thombare is currently ranked No. 2 in doubles in India and No. 157 in the world doubles rankings. Thombare won a bronze medal in women's doubles at the 2014 Asian Games, along with Sania Mirza, and also represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The athletes under the Motilal Oswal Foundation Advantage Program will receive comprehensive support through coaching, physical conditioning, physiotherapy, and tournament planning.

To guide the program, Balachandran Manikkath, a former national champion with over three decades of coaching experience at the highest level, will serve as the lead coach based in Bangalore, while also travelling with players during key tournament periods. Supporting the athletes' physical preparation and recovery, Isha Galgali will serve as the program physiotherapist and will also travel with the players on tour.

RBTA is also in the process of adding another coach to further strengthen the program, ensuring that players receive consistent, high-quality guidance both at home and on the international circuit.

Speaking on the initiative, Rohan Bopanna, Founder of RBTA and two-time Grand Slam champion, said:

"As RBTA completes 10 years, it is incredibly meaningful to partner with the Motilal Oswal Foundation to create structured opportunities for Indian players. This program is about providing the right ecosystem -- coaching, support staff, and resources -- so talented athletes can focus on competing and realising their potential on the global stage."

RBTA extends its sincere gratitude to the Motilal Oswal Foundation for their belief in the vision of building a stronger future for Indian tennis.

As the academy enters its second decade, RBTA remains committed to creating pathways for talented Indian players and contributing to the growth of tennis across the country.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So happy to see Vaishnavi Adkar getting recognition! Her performance in Bengaluru was inspiring. More power to her and the entire program. Corporate partnerships like Motilal Oswal's are crucial for sports development in India.
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David E
As someone who follows global tennis, this is a very positive step. The focus on a three-year pathway with coaching and physio support is exactly what's needed. Hope this model is replicated for other sports as well.
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Siddharth J
A respectful suggestion: While this is great for elite players, I hope some part of the program or future initiatives also focus on grassroots development in smaller towns. Tennis still feels like an expensive, metro-centric sport for many.
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Rohit P
Dhakshineswar Suresh was a hero in the Davis Cup! Deserves all this support. More power to Bopanna sir for creating this platform. After Sania and Bopanna, we need the next generation to take over. Jai Hind!
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Kavya N
Wonderful to see Prarthana Thombare included. Doubles specialists often don't get the same spotlight, but her experience from the Olympics and Asian Games is invaluable. This holistic support system is what our athletes need to break into the top 100 consistently.

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