The legendary Leander Paes was the highlight in the Indian Tennis squad for Asian Games 2018, however world ranked 94 and country’s top men singles player Yuki Bhambri was not included as the AITA announced a 12-member squad, which included six women players, for the Pan Asian sporting event, beginning August 18 in Indonesia.
Also read: List of top 5 Tennis players from India currently.
Yuki, was exempted by the selection committee as he is expected to feature in the main draw of US Open. The tennis events in Asian Games are scheduled to be held in the city of Palembang from August 19-25 while the US Open starts on August 27.
The six-member men’s squad has three singles specialists in Ramkumar Ramanathan, Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Sumit Nagal. The squad also features three doubles specialists in Leander Paes, Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan.
Purav Raja who had a poor David cup outing in Canada was not able to make it to the Indian squad.
The women’s squad will be led by top singles player Ankita Raina, Karman Kaur Thandi, Rutuja Bhosale, Pranjala Yadlapalli, Riya Bhatia and Prarthana Thombare.
Zeeshan Ali has been named the coach and captain of the men’s squad while the women’s team will be guided by Ankita Bhambri.
Indian Tennis squad for Asian Games 2018
Men’s
Ramkumar Ramanathan- (World ranking 121, Men’s singles)
Prajnesh Gunneswaran- (World ranking 183, Men’s singles)
Sumit Nagal- (World ranking 220, Men’s singles)
Leander Paes- (World ranking 24, Men’s doubles)
Rohan Bopanna- (World ranking 56, Men’s doubles)
Divij Sharan- (World ranking 41- Men’s doubles)
Women’s
Ankita Raina- (World ranking 208, Women’s singles) (World ranking 192, Women’s doubles)
Karman Kaur Thandi- (World ranking 264, Women’s singles) (World ranking 296, Women’s doubles)
Rutuja Bhosale- (World ranking 400, Women’s singles) (World ranking 426, Women’s doubles)
Pranjala Yadlapalli- (World ranking 426, Women’s singles) (World ranking 360, Women’s doubles)
Riya Bhatia- (World ranking 623, Women’s singles) (World ranking 574, Women’s doubles)
Prarthana Thombare- (World ranking 185, Women’s doubles)
