As the Tennis Premier League (TPL) gears up for its seventh season, franchise SG Pipers announced the signing of veteran Rohan Bopanna, injecting star power and experience into their squad. The 45-year-old, a two-time Grand Slam champion and the oldest winner of both a major singles title and an ATP Masters 1000 event, joins the team ahead of the crucial player auctions on October 9. Bopanna's inclusion signals SG Pipers' ambition to blend seasoned expertise with rising talents, positioning them as frontrunners in a league that has become a cornerstone for Indian tennis development. The auctions, set to unfold in Mumbai, will see franchises vie for a mix of domestic and international players, heightening anticipation for a fiercely competitive season starting later this month.

Mahesh Bhupathi, India's most decorated doubles player with 50 ATP titles and CEO of S Gupta Sports—the parent company owning SG Pipers—expressed unbridled enthusiasm about the move. "Our focus has always been on building a team that reflects the highest standards of Indian tennis, both in terms of performance and professionalism," Bhupathi stated. He praised Bopanna's "wealth of experience, proven leadership, and winning mentality," which he believes will be "invaluable as we aim for the top."

Bhupathi's vision extends beyond immediate success; as a former world No. 1 in doubles and Olympic medallist, he views such signings as pivotal to nurturing the sport's ecosystem. "Having someone of his calibre reinforces our commitment to excellence. As we approach the auctions, we are excited about the opportunity to strengthen our squad further," he added, underscoring the strategic depth SG Pipers plans to achieve.

Bopanna's journey adds a compelling narrative to TPL's resurgence. At the 2024 Australian Open, he etched his name in history by clinching the men's doubles title with Matthew Ebden, becoming the oldest Grand Slam winner at 43, and later securing the Miami Open Masters 1000 crown—the first Indian man to do so. Retiring from singles in 2017 to focus on doubles, Bopanna has been a vocal advocate for Indian tennis infrastructure, including his role in the AITA's Davis Cup campaigns. His SG Pipers stint aligns with TPL's format of fast-paced, team-based matches that mirror the excitement of franchise leagues like IPL, drawing larger crowds and sponsorships. Launched in 2017 by Bhupathi and supported by the All India Tennis Association, TPL has expanded to eight teams, featuring 48 players in a round-robin structure culminating in semifinals and finals, typically hosted in December across Indian cities.

Also Read: Did Virat Kohli Quit Tests Over Lack of Respect, and Is Rohit Sharma Next?

Bhupathi emphasised TPL's broader impact on the sport's growth amid a surge in investments, including the ₹1,000 crore National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. "Leagues like TPL are essential to the sport's growth in India. They provide a platform for domestic talent to compete alongside established names, guiding young players and building a stronger ecosystem," he noted. With Indian tennis witnessing breakthroughs like Sumit Nagal's ATP Challenger successes and the Davis Cup team's resurgence, TPL serves as a talent incubator, fostering rivalries and fan engagement. SG Pipers, part of S Gupta Sports' diverse portfolio encompassing hockey, chess, table tennis, and padel, aims to leverage this momentum for a title run. As auctions approach, the league promises high-stakes bidding wars, potentially reshaping team dynamics and elevating Indian tennis's global footprint over the next decade.

Also Read: 14-Year-Old Cricket Prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi Loses Cool in Youth Test