The World Tennis League made a spectacular debut in India on Wednesday, featuring some of the sport’s biggest names delivering high-quality entertainment on the court. Bengaluru witnessed the athleticism of Gael Monfils, the ‘tweener trickery of Nick Kyrgios, the explosive talent of Denis Shapovalov, and the tenacity of Elina Svitolina.
Daniil Medvedev, a former US Open champion and finalist at the 2017 Chennai Open, celebrated his return to India with a victory in the men’s doubles alongside Indian icon Rohan Bopanna.
Joining them were India’s Next Gen stars, Maaya Rajeswaran Revathi and Dhakshineswar Suresh, who appeared to thrive in the limelight.
The VB Realty Hawks kicked off the 2025 edition with a close 25-21 win against the Aussie Mavericks Kites, while AOS Eagles capped off the day’s matches with an 18-16 victory over the Game Changers Falcons. By the end of Day 1, the Hawks topped the standings with 25 points.
Opening the day’s competition, Svitolina displayed her trademark determination, coming back from 2-5 down to defeat Marta Kostyuk 7-5, providing a winning start for the Hawks. She later teamed up with 16-year-old Maaya to secure a victory against Kostyuk and Ankita Raina by the same scoreline.
In men’s doubles, the Kites showcased resilience as Nick Kyrgios and Suresh delivered a serving masterclass, winning 6-4 against Shapovalov and Bhambri. Kyrgios captivated the audience with his playful style, mixing deft touches with showboating ‘tweeners. However, Shapovalov clinched the singles match, narrowly defeating Suresh 7-5 to keep his team in the lead.
“I’ve played this event a couple of times and it’s always fantastic to travel around the world and perform for these fans. It’s always enjoyable,” stated Kyrgios, who praised his 25-year-old doubles partner Suresh.
“I was genuinely impressed; he’s so young with a powerful serve and a bright future ahead. He reminds me a bit of myself—big serve. He’s not new to team events; he played college tennis at Georgia Gwinnett and was successful. It’s a different level when facing someone like Shapovalov, but I’ll support him as much as possible.”
The highlight of the second match of the day featured Rohan Bopanna against Sumit Nagal in a clash between AOS Eagles and Game Changer Falcons. After Nagal and Paula Badosa took the mixed doubles set 6-1, Bopanna responded with a 6-2 victory in a thrilling doubles match, partnering with Medvedev against Nagal and Monfils. Tensions flared during a net exchange in the mixed doubles when Nagal accidentally hit Bopanna in the chest, but both Indian stars exchanged handshake and resumed their game in good spirits.
Magda Linette initially gave the Falcons a lead, defeating Paula Badosa 6-4 in the opening set. Following a series of close doubles matches, Monfils turned up the heat on Medvedev, clinching the marquee singles match 6-3. After his vintage performance, the 39-year-old delighted the crowd with a celebratory dance.
The WTL is a mixed-team event held just before the new season, offering players a chance to fine-tune their games without the pressures of tour events. This year, four franchises are competing, each playing against one another in a round-robin format before the top two teams qualify for the finals.
Each tie comprises four sets – men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s/mixed doubles. Victory is determined by the number of games won, with each game contributing one point. The matches are played at a faster pace, only lasting one set, making every game valuable, enhanced by a golden point on deuce, ensuring the WTL remains an exhilarating viewing experience.
First Published: Dec 17, 2025 10:23 PM IST
