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.
MUMBAI: As the sun rises over Melbourne Park, the echoes of rackets and roars of the crowd signal the dawn of Grand Slam week—a tennis fan’s ultimate dream.
Sony Sports Network is all set to serve an ace with exclusive live coverage of the Australian Open 2025, running from 12-26 January.
From the thrill of a five-set marathon to the elegance of a perfectly executed backhand, fans can experience it all in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, bringing the action closer to every corner of India.
With marquee sponsors like Rolex, Amul, Kia Motors, and Apple rallying alongside, Sony promises a broadcast that’s as electrifying as a match point on Rod Laver Arena.
The tournament will kick off on Sunday, 12 January, a strategic adjustment aimed at enhancing the experience for both players and fans by reducing late-night match strain. Viewers can expect thrilling performances from top players, including defending champion Jannik Sinner, 10-time winner Novak Djokovic, and women’s World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
In addition to Sinner and Djokovic, players like Alexander Zverev (World No.2), Carlos Alcaraz (World No.3), Taylor Fritz (World No.4), and Daniil Medvedev (World No.4) will compete for glory. The women’s draw features fierce competition with Iga Swiatek (World No.2) vying for the title. Adding to the excitement is the return of Nick Kyrgios, aiming to make a triumphant comeback.
Indian players will also feature prominently, with Rohan Bopanna, Sumit Nagal, Yuki Bhambri, and Sriram Balaji participating. Rithvik Bollipalli, ranked 72 in doubles, will make his Grand Slam debut, building on his successful 2024 season, which included his first ATP Tour title.
The exclusive broadcast will feature EXTRAAA SERVE, a panel of experts including Sania Mirza, Somdev Devvarman, and Purav Raja, who will deliver insights and analysis.
Mirza expressed excitement about the competition, stating, “I have some of my fondest memories at the Australian Open and I look forward to being back in the expert’s chair for Sony Sports Network’s EXTRAAA SERVE. I am also excited to watch the 2025 season, as Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal will represent India. The competition is about to get more interesting as this season will bring lots of opportunities, whether it’s for Jannik Sinner, who looks to defend his title or its Novak Djokovic, who is looking to restore his past glory. Adding to the Melbourne heat will be the contest between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.”
Devvarman praised the network’s efforts, saying, “Over the years, Sony Sports Network has become the home for the Australian Open and it gives me immense pleasure to return to the commentary box and the studio chair for yet another exciting season. The 2025 edition of the tournament will set the tone for the upcoming Australian Open tournaments and other Grand Slams especially when it comes to the next legend in tennis.”
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), chief revenue officer – distribution and international business and head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul commented, “The Australian Open has established itself as the preferred Grand Slam among Indian tennis fans, differentiated by its entertainment quotient and the presence of top-seeded players. It is the most watched Grand Slam on linear television over the last three years. We are committed to continuing this momentum and delivering premier tennis action to our Indian audiences. The response from advertisers has been exceptionally positive, with prestigious brands such as Rolex, Kia Motors, Apple and more joining us for this remarkable tournament.”
Sony Sports Network’s #WHEREGREATNESSBEGINS campaign celebrates the tournament as a platform for unearthing future tennis legends.
Fans can catch the live action on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), and Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (English). Matches will also be live-streamed on Sony LIV, starting 5:30 am IST daily.
Mumbai: It was in 2023 when Yuvaa- a popular GenZ-driven media organisation introduced India’s first chat show on positive masculinity called Be A Man, Yaar. The unique and heartfelt conversations with some of the popular men from showbiz, including Naseeruddin Shah, Karan Johar, Vicky Kaushal, and Zakir Khan, caught the attention of millions, starting the much-needed conversation around men, their emotions, and positive masculinity. Now, in association with The Man Company, a leading male grooming brand, Yuvaa is coming back with season two of ‘Be A Man, Yaar’, and this time, it is all about the ‘humanity’ behind masculinity.
To celebrate men from different fields and backgrounds, the second season of ‘Be A Man, Yaar’ will witness Media Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Yuvaa, Nikhil Taneja engaging in candid, honest, authentic conversations about what it means to be a boy, a man, and a human with: Javed Akhtar, Kartik Aaryan, Bhuvan Bam, Manish Malhotra, Rohan Bopanna, Dr Vikas Divyakirti, Gajraj Rao, Boman Irani, Imran Khan, Ankush Bahuguna, Viraj Ghelani, Aryan Pasha and Prateek Kuhad.
The trailer of the show launched today on Yuvaa’s YouTube channel, and from 10th July, the show aims to delve deeper into the conversations around mental health, loneliness, male friendships, therapy, fatherhood, insecurities, and of course, healthy relationships with women.
Yuvaa and The Man Company share a vision of redefining masculinity and fostering a culture of positive male identity. ‘Be A Man, Yaar’ aims to provide a platform for men to express their true selves, break free from societal stereotypes, and engage in meaningful dialogues that promote mental well-being and emotional health. The Man Company, with its dedication to holistic grooming and personal development, complements this mission by encouraging men to lead lives of authenticity and compassion. Together, they strive to inspire a generation of confident, empathetic, and proud men to be themselves.
Expressing his thoughts behind bringing the second season of the critically acclaimed show ‘Be A Man, Yaar’, Nikhil Taneja said, “Season 1 of Be A Man, Yaar! got an enormous amount of love for creating a safe space on the internet for men in the entertainment industry to have vulnerable and authentic conversations. In Season 2, we have more men, more laughs, more love, more hugs and a lot more vulnerability by iconic men from entertainment to sports to fashion to education. Our guests reflect the diversity of our country and the many ways in which men can learn and be human. I’m thrilled that The Man Company partnered with us on the mission to make masculinity more wholesome.”
The Man Company founder & MD Hitesh Dhingra also expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting their shared mission of promoting positive masculinity, emphasizing their goal of encouraging men to embrace their individuality and lead with authenticity and compassion. He said, “At The Man Company, we believe in empowering men to embrace their individuality and cultivate confidence inside and out through grooming and a constant dialogue that urges them to bring out the #GentlemanInYou. Our collaboration with ‘Be A Man, Yaar!’ aligns perfectly with our goal to redefine masculinity and inspire men to rise above stereotypes and lead with authenticity, compassion, and gentleness.”
With a reach of over 150 million and mentions by over 450 celebrities and creators, the first season of ‘Be A Man, Yaar’ featured candid conversations with notable figures like Vicky Kaushal, Karan Johar, Zakir Khan, and Naseeruddin Shah, exploring the concept of positive masculinity. Starring some unconventional discussions, the show became the flag bearer for positive communication for men around, bringing out their vulnerable emotions for the world to understand what it truly means to be a man!
The extended unfiltered episodes will be available exclusively on Amazon Music.
Mumbai: Italy’s Stefano Napolitano came back from a set down to beat South Korea’s Seongchan Hong to clinch the DafaNews Bengaluru Open at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium here on Sunday.
The seventh seed Napolitano, whose last ATP Challenger title came way back in 2016, relied on his booming groundstrokes to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 23 minutes to take home a prize purse of $18230 (approximately Rs 15 lakh). The title triumph also helped him bag 100 ranking points.
Napolitano, who had got the better of former world no 25 Vasek Pospisil of Canada in the second round and home favourite Sumit Nagal in the semi-finals, struggled with his first serve in the opening set and that meant he wasn’t really able to capitalise on the opportunities and lost his serve twice.
But he became more consistent as the match progressed and managed to break his opponent once to force the decider.
With the momentum now in his favour, Napolitano broke Hong in the very first game to wrest the advantage. The South Korean stayed in the set by staving off his opponent on his next three service games.
However, Napolitano ended Hong’s resistance in the ninth game of the set by hitting an inside out forehand winner for the first point and completed the triumph with a backhand winner before falling down on his back in celebration.
The champion and runners-up were felicitated in presence of the oldest world number one doubles player Indian Rohan Bopanna, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education Shri Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil along with other dignitaries.
DafaNews Bengaluru Open is being organised by Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA).
MUMBAI: Discovery India’s sports channel DSport will broadcast Davis Cup World Group Qualifier between India and Croatia live, which is scheduled to play on 06-07 March 2020 from 7:30 pm onwards.
India now faces world number two Croatia for the qualifiers after routing Pakistan 4-0 in November last year. The Indian team includes Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Sumit Nagal and Ramkumar Ramanthan for singles. Leander Paes, Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan will represent India in doubles.
Discovery – South Asia senior vice president – affiliate sales and head of sports business, Vijay Rajput said: “Tennis fans across the country will be rooting for the national team in this important tie as India tries to make it to the World Group stage.”
This is the seventh time in as many years that the Indian team has made it to the qualifier stage of the elite team competition but is yet to make it to the world group.
MUMBAI: Japan-based sportswear company ASICS and India’s leading sports promoter Procam International today unveiled the limited-edition GEL-NIMBUS™ 22 along with the official ‘Race Day T-Shirt‘ for the 17th edition of Asia’s most prestigious TATA Mumbai Marathon (TMM) 2020. ASICS Brand Athlete Rohan Bopanna and Influencer Nikita Dutta did the unveiling at the ASICS store, in Mumbai.
Celebrating the completion of its decade-long association with TATA Mumbai Marathon, ASICS launched the GEL-NIMBUS™ 22, a limited-edition long-distance running shoe at the event. Dedicated to the spirit of Mumbai, the name of the city is emblazoned on the shoes for an exclusive design patent with superior technology and enhanced fit, making it a true collector’s item!
The ASICS ‘Race Day T-Shirt’ is also a mark of accomplishment for every individual participating in the TATA Mumbai Marathon and will be a part of the Race Day Kit along with the bib. All Full Marathon participants will receive the exclusive Race Day T-shirt. The association with TMM is an extension of ASICS’ philosophy to produce innovative sports products solutions and technologies to help athletes and fitness enthusiasts achieve their goals.
“From the moment runners sign up for the Marathon, we are their partners through their training program and till they cross the finish line. We mark our decade long association with the Tata Mumbai Marathon by launching our first ever-limited edition shoe especially designed to celebrate the city that is always on the move- Mumbai! It is truly a significant milestone for the brand and we will continue to give our consumers a manufacturing innovation every year,” said ASICS India managing director Rajat Khurana.
Procam International managing director Anil Singh who was also present at the event added, “Tata Mumbai Marathon is globally viewed as an iconic Event. It invokes a sense of Pride in each and every one of us, furthermore the event is Mumbai's biggest showcase to the World. ASICS commitment to excellence is well known, but what makes them truly special is the Respect and Partnership they bring to their Sponsorships. It is with this sentiment at heart, that ASICS has designed the limited-edition shoe line especially dedicated to all Mumbaikars runners who are the 'true owners' of this iconic property. A must have collector’s item!
Speaking about the event, Rohan Bopanna said, “TATA Mumbai Marathon is the most significant marathon in India and it has always motivated me in many ways to enhance my running skills. ASICS has been instrumental in my journey and has provided me with the right kind of gear for training and practice sessions. I wish the participants the best and hope ASICS gets them moving, as it did for me.”
Commenting on the association, actress Nikita Dutta said, “I have always loved the brand ASICS for its high-performance sports gear. Being a proud Mumbaikar growing up in the city, I’m quite excited to unveil the first ever limited-edition shoe and Race Day t-shirt for the Tata Mumbai Marathon. I’m participating in the marathon too and looking forward to enhance my performance with the exclusive GEL NIMBUS 22.’’
The GEL-NIMBUS 22 will be available from 5 December at all ASICS retail and online stores. The TATA Mumbai Marathon will be hosted on 19 January 2020 and begins from opposite the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai. Runners will pass many iconic locations such as Flora Fountain, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Haji Ali, Mahim Church, and the Bandra–Worli Sea Link.
MUMBAI: Doubts had been raised whether arguably the world’s biggest competitive sports event – the ongoing Rio Olympics 2016 – would attract Indian viewers. Mainly because of the time zone differences between India and Brazil.
But lo and behold even the opening ceremony of the games lured viewers like a moth to a lamp; according to Zapr’s TV viewership audience pool. More than 5.6 million Indians tuned in at 4 am on 6 August 2016 to watch Gisele Bundchen stage her interpretation of the Girl from Ipanema, apart from a host of other Brazlilian singing and sports talents.
Day one of the Olympics received a grand viewership of 52.7 million viewers in India, despite claims that this year’s Olympics telecast has received the worst television viewership ratings compared to previous years in some parts of the world.
The repeat telecast of the opening ceremony later in the day was watched by 6.1 million viewers. According to the reports, 7.5 per cent of the viewers who watched the live telecast in the morning came back to watch the highlights.
The live telecast saw the highest viewership for the day between 8 pm and 11 pm pm during which famous Indian sportspersons took to the field: 14.4 million viewers tuned in between 8pm and 9 pm witnessing the Indian men’s hockey team’s first win in the Olympics this year.
The viewership increased to 15.4 million viewers in the next hour as Indian tennis players like Leander Paes, Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza kicked off with their first matches in the tournament.
A large portion of Indian TV viewers who watched the Rio Olympics had previously followed other popular sport events on TV, a massive 73.4 per cent of viewers who watched the Olympics had also watched the biggest sporting league in India – Vivo IPL 2016. 36.4 per cent of the Olympic viewers also watched the Pro Kabaddi League while 19.3 per cent watched the UEFA Euro 2016. A smaller portion of 1.5 per cent of Olympic viewers watched both the recent tennis tournaments.
The audience also heavily consumed Hindi GECs’ programmes apart from the sports channels which were The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony Entertainment TV, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Colors TV and The Voice Kids on And TV.
The state of Maharashtra received the highest viewership for the Olympics telecast with 17. 9 per cent in urban and 7.9 per cent in rural. Uttar Pradesh received 10. 5 per cent urban share and 6.6 per cent rural. Down south , Tamil Nadu experienced the largest share of rural audiences watching the Olympics telecast in India. It recorded a 9.2 per cent urban share and 8.6 per cent rural share. On the other hand Andhra Pradesh generated an 8.7 percent urban share and 4.3 per cent rural. Karnataka got 8.6 per cent Uuban and 5.6 per cent rura shares while West Bengal notched up 7.5 per cent urban share and 6.0 per cent rural.
MUMBAI: Doubts had been raised whether arguably the world’s biggest competitive sports event – the ongoing Rio Olympics 2016 – would attract Indian viewers. Mainly because of the time zone differences between India and Brazil.
But lo and behold even the opening ceremony of the games lured viewers like a moth to a lamp; according to Zapr’s TV viewership audience pool. More than 5.6 million Indians tuned in at 4 am on 6 August 2016 to watch Gisele Bundchen stage her interpretation of the Girl from Ipanema, apart from a host of other Brazlilian singing and sports talents.
Day one of the Olympics received a grand viewership of 52.7 million viewers in India, despite claims that this year’s Olympics telecast has received the worst television viewership ratings compared to previous years in some parts of the world.
The repeat telecast of the opening ceremony later in the day was watched by 6.1 million viewers. According to the reports, 7.5 per cent of the viewers who watched the live telecast in the morning came back to watch the highlights.
The live telecast saw the highest viewership for the day between 8 pm and 11 pm pm during which famous Indian sportspersons took to the field: 14.4 million viewers tuned in between 8pm and 9 pm witnessing the Indian men’s hockey team’s first win in the Olympics this year.
The viewership increased to 15.4 million viewers in the next hour as Indian tennis players like Leander Paes, Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza kicked off with their first matches in the tournament.
A large portion of Indian TV viewers who watched the Rio Olympics had previously followed other popular sport events on TV, a massive 73.4 per cent of viewers who watched the Olympics had also watched the biggest sporting league in India – Vivo IPL 2016. 36.4 per cent of the Olympic viewers also watched the Pro Kabaddi League while 19.3 per cent watched the UEFA Euro 2016. A smaller portion of 1.5 per cent of Olympic viewers watched both the recent tennis tournaments.
The audience also heavily consumed Hindi GECs’ programmes apart from the sports channels which were The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony Entertainment TV, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Colors TV and The Voice Kids on And TV.
The state of Maharashtra received the highest viewership for the Olympics telecast with 17. 9 per cent in urban and 7.9 per cent in rural. Uttar Pradesh received 10. 5 per cent urban share and 6.6 per cent rural. Down south , Tamil Nadu experienced the largest share of rural audiences watching the Olympics telecast in India. It recorded a 9.2 per cent urban share and 8.6 per cent rural share. On the other hand Andhra Pradesh generated an 8.7 percent urban share and 4.3 per cent rural. Karnataka got 8.6 per cent Uuban and 5.6 per cent rura shares while West Bengal notched up 7.5 per cent urban share and 6.0 per cent rural.
MUMBAI: Tennis champion Rohan Bopanna has shown his support against animal cruelty by playing a role in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s campaign.
Recently qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics, he is seen posing with rescued rooster Smack next to the words “Tennis Is a Sport – Cockfighting Is Not”. The print visual for the campaign was shot by ace photographer Sam Mohan whereas Bopanna’s hair and make-up were done by Tejal Rao.
“When it comes to cockfights …[roosters] are taught to be aggressive … and they have got knives and spurs on their feet, trying to injure one another,” said Bopanna. “Roosters in cockfights are left to die …. Cockfights never really have a victory. One dies, another one gets injured.”
Roosters raised for fighting are often confined to cramped cages and tormented to make them aggressive. Razor-sharp spurs are attached to the birds’ feet to make fights more exciting ie bloody. The birds often have their eyes gouged out and sustain broken wings and legs, punctured lungs and severed spinal cords. Those who survive are forced to fight again.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, prohibits forcing animals to fight. And in 2014, the Honourable Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of PETA India by making staged fights between animals illegal nationwide but cockfights are still organised in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and elsewhere.
Bopanna is currently ranked 11 in the world in the doubles category for tennis. He reached his career-high doubles ranking in 2013, when he was ranked number three in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals.
MUMBAI: Tennis champion Rohan Bopanna has shown his support against animal cruelty by playing a role in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s campaign.
Recently qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics, he is seen posing with rescued rooster Smack next to the words “Tennis Is a Sport – Cockfighting Is Not”. The print visual for the campaign was shot by ace photographer Sam Mohan whereas Bopanna’s hair and make-up were done by Tejal Rao.
“When it comes to cockfights …[roosters] are taught to be aggressive … and they have got knives and spurs on their feet, trying to injure one another,” said Bopanna. “Roosters in cockfights are left to die …. Cockfights never really have a victory. One dies, another one gets injured.”
Roosters raised for fighting are often confined to cramped cages and tormented to make them aggressive. Razor-sharp spurs are attached to the birds’ feet to make fights more exciting ie bloody. The birds often have their eyes gouged out and sustain broken wings and legs, punctured lungs and severed spinal cords. Those who survive are forced to fight again.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, prohibits forcing animals to fight. And in 2014, the Honourable Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of PETA India by making staged fights between animals illegal nationwide but cockfights are still organised in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and elsewhere.
Bopanna is currently ranked 11 in the world in the doubles category for tennis. He reached his career-high doubles ranking in 2013, when he was ranked number three in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals.
