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Tag: Kunal Thakkur

  • TPL serves up Season 7 in Ahmedabad with global stars and local passion

    TPL serves up Season 7 in Ahmedabad with global stars and local passion

    MUMBAI: Game, set, Ahmedabad, India’s only professional tennis league is ready to smash new ground. The Tennis Premier League (TPL), under the aegis of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), will stage its 7th season from 9–14 December at the Gujarat University Tennis Stadium, marking its first-ever move outside Maharashtra.

    In hitting this milestone, TPL becomes only the fourth Indian sporting league to enter a 7th season, joining the ranks of IPL, Pro Kabaddi, and ISL. The eight-franchise tournament has heavyweight backers, from Leander Paes, Sania Mirza, and Mahesh Bhupathi to Rakul Preet Singh and Sonali Bendre. On court, fans can expect fireworks as international players ranked between 30 and 50 in the ATP rub shoulders with India’s finest, including two-time Grand Slam champion Rohan Bopanna.

    What sets TPL apart is its trademark 25-point format quick, high-octane matches designed to keep crowds hooked. Over 400 tournaments across 20 plus cities in a single year and its Race to Gold Scholarships have made TPL a genuine grassroots-to-glory pipeline. Gujarat has already felt its impact, with age-group tournaments and scholarships energising the local tennis scene.

    “This will be a real shot in the arm for tennis in Gujarat,” said Gujarat state Tennis Association secretary Shrimal Bhatt highlighting the historic arrival of top-ranked ATP stars. For co-founders Kunal Thakkur and Mrunal Jain, the shift to Ahmedabad is about scale and spirit bringing world-class tennis to a city fast emerging as a sporting capital.

    With 250 plus matches played across seasons, international stars, and the promise of electrifying rallies, Season 7 is primed to be TPL’s most exciting chapter yet. Ahmedabad, brace yourself, tennis fever is about to hit full throttle.

  • Jeep India supports Tennis Premier League Season 6 as an official drive partner

    Jeep India supports Tennis Premier League Season 6 as an official drive partner

    MUMBAI: They have got together for a drive in the front seat. The Tennis Premier League (TPL) and automobile brand Jeep have announced an association for the tournament’s sixth season which is to commence from 3 December and end on 8 December at the e Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.

    This collaboration brings a fresh category partnership with Jeep as the official drive partner. The brand prides itself upon excellence in tough conditions, perfectly aligning with the existing values of the players and the league. The partnership aims to enable the growth and development of tennis in the country, keeping the long-term vision achievements of these goals in mind.

    Jeep India brand director Kumar Priyesh stated, “At Jeep, we’ve always believed in going beyond limits and enabling people to achieve the extraordinary. Partnering with the TPL allows us to support a platform that aligns with our values. We are proud to be part of this journey and look forward to a long-term partnership that will help propel Indian tennis to greater heights.”

    TPL  co-founder Kunal Thakkur said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jeep into the TPL family as our official drive partner for the upcoming season. Their reputation for resilience and performance mirrors the values we champion. This partnership strengthens our commitment to together nurturing a world-class platform for tennis in India.”

    Tennis Premier League co-founder Mrunal Jain further added, “This association with Jeep is a significant boost for TPL, reflecting the growing stature of the league. Jeep’s support not only brings global credibility but also adds immense value to the ecosystem we are building for tennis in India. We are confident this partnership will be fruitful in developing pathways for not only tennis but also for tennis players in the country.”

  • Season five of Tennis Premier League to air on Sony Sports Network

    Season five of Tennis Premier League to air on Sony Sports Network

    Mumbai: After the immense success and closely fought battles in the first four seasons of the Tennis Premier League (TPL), India’s Premier tennis tournament is set for a fifth season, which is slated to begin on 12 December, with a grand finale scheduled for 17 December 2023. The fifth season of the Tennis Premier League, powered by Clear, is determined to cater to a larger audience on Sony Sports Network, the broadcast destination for the league.    

    The following for tennis in India has been growing steadily, and fans have another chance to witness their favourite tennis stars at the fifth edition of the TPL, live in action on Sony Sports Ten 2 channels.

    Pune Jaguars, Mumbai Leon Army, Delhi Binny’s Brigade, Gujarat Panthers, Punjab Tigers, Bengal Wizards, Hyderabad Strikers and Bengaluru Spartans are the teams in the fray, with prominent personalities such as Taapsee Pannu, Sonu Sood, Sonali Bendre, Rakul Preet Singh, Leander Paes and Sania Mirza associated with them.    

    Top Indian tennis talents such as Sumit Nagal, will play for the Gujarat Panthers after the current AITA number one was made the most expensive player at the auction by the franchise. Alongside Nagal, Hangzhou Asian Games silver medal-winning duo Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni will also feature in season five of TPL, as they will play for Bengaluru SG Mavericks and Hyderabad Strikers respectively. While Asian Games 2023 Gold Medallist, Rutuja Bhosale will don the colours of Pune Jaguars in season five of the TPL.  

    Along with them, foreign tennis athletes like former World No. 10 Ernests Gulbis and former World No. 26 Lukas Rosol, will feature for Mumbai Leon Army and Pune Jaguars respectively in the upcoming season. Additionally, current World No. 125 Maria Timofeeva was snapped up by Leander Paes-backed Bengal Wizards at the auction and the highest-ranked Austrian Tennis player in the world Dennis Novak will lead the charge for Delhi Binny’s Brigade in season five of the league.  

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul said, “The Tennis Premier League has engaged audiences over the last four seasons with its fast-paced format. For tennis fans, the addition of India No. 1 Sumit Nagal, and 2023 Asian Games medallists Ramkumar Ramanathan, Saketh Myneni, and Rutuja Bhosale will be another reason to attract audiences for the fifth season of the league.”  

    “The fifth season of the TPL is being graced by some very entertaining tennis stars, who have walked the talk consistently at the highest level. The likes of Sumit Nagal, Ernests Gulbis, Ramkumar Ramanathan, and Karman Kaur Thandi will definitely be a big attraction for the fans, and we are confident that the trend of high-octane clashes will not be disturbed,” said TPL co-founder Kunal Thakkur.  

    “Over the past few years, the TPL with its healthy mix of high-quality sport and entertainment, has become one of the most awaited tournaments in India. And the fact that the tournament will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network, the home of the Australian Open and US Open, makes it even more special for us. May the best team win,” said TPL co-founder, Mrunal Jain.  

    All the franchises will play a total of match matches to qualify for the semi-finals as the league’s revolutionary format captures the imagination of tennis fans. All matches between the two franchises will comprise Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles. There will be 80 points at stake in each tie between two franchises, where each category would be worth 20 points. Each team will play a total of 400 points (80 points x 5 matches) at the league stage. All games of the TPL will be played in the Balewadi Stadium in Pune.  

  • ENN Sports LLP acquires Hyderabad Strikers ahead of TPL season 5

    ENN Sports LLP acquires Hyderabad Strikers ahead of TPL season 5

    Mumbai: Ahead of the highly anticipated season 5 of the Tennis Premier League (TPL), visionary founders and owners of ENN Sports LLP, Nikunj Shah, Navin Dalmia, and Rajdeep Dalmia have acquired the Hyderabad Strikers. The highly enterprising trio will be co-owners of the two-time and current champions of the league alongside celebrity co-owner Rakul Preet Singh.

    Co-owner of Hyderabad Strikers, Rakul Preet Singh spoke with delight about the new development, “The TPL is a great place for the talented tennis players in the country to show off their skills and improve their game further while working with the biggest names in the sport. Hyderabad has always been well-known for their contribution to Indian tennis, and with the Hyderabad Strikers, we want to further enhance that reputation.”

    ENN Sports LLP is a premier sports-promoting company that is dedicated to enhancing sports culture in India and around the world. The company provides a wide range of services that include sports team management, event organisation, and sports marketing.

    Nikunj Shah’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his deep-rooted love for sports, has positioned him as a prominent figure in both communities. With his ongoing efforts, Shah continues to leave a lasting impact on the sports landscape.

    Talking about his love for the sport of Tennis, co-owner Nikunj Shah said, “Tennis holds a special place in my heart. I actively participate in and support the sport. We are always looking for opportunities to help athletes grow at the highest levels, and the TPL aims to do exactly that. So, I want to actively contribute to the growth of Tennis in India, which I am certain would be possible through the Hyderabad Strikers.”

    Rajdeep Dalmia has a passion for technology that is infectious and has the ability to inspire and motivate those around him. He believes in the power of collaboration and fosters an environment of innovation and creativity within his organisations.

    Dalmia, who used to play tennis in school said, “The TPL is a great way to experience the excitement of a live tennis match, especially as the matches are played in a fast-paced environment due to the format. The Hyderabad Strikers is a phenomenal franchise with a storied history in the league. With our expertise from ENN Sports LLP, I am sure we will be able to expand the dedicated fanbase of the Hyderabad Strikers that will spur us on in our title defence in season 5.”

    Co-founder of the TPL, Kunal Thakkur spoke about how the new ownership will help the Hyderabad Strikers come season 5. He said, “ENN Sports LLP is an innovative enterprise much like the TPL. Their expertise in sports will allow them to become league leaders in terms of strategy, planning, and promotion. This will surely help the Hyderabad Strikers to continue succeeding on and off the court.”

    Co-founder of the TPL Mrunal Jain mirrored his fellow co-founder’s sentiment as he said, “The Hyderabad Strikers is the most outstanding franchisees in the league, and will surely prosper even more under the guidance of visionaries such as Nikunj Shah, Navin Dalmia, and Rajdeep Dalmia.”