From the electrifying victory of the Indian cricket team in the recent T20 series to the rising star power of young badminton sensations, India's sporting landscape is ablaze with action! This week alone saw record-breaking performances in the Pro Kabaddi League, showcasing the nation's unwavering passion for indigenous sports. The upcoming Asian Games are generating immense anticipation, with athletes across disciplines sharpening their skills and aiming for glory on the international stage. We delve into the crucial role of sports sponsorships in nurturing talent and boosting India's sporting infrastructure. Furthermore, debates rage on about the future of cricket's dominance in India's sporting ecosystem, with other sports like hockey and football vying for increased attention and investment. Stay updated on all the latest scores, match analyses, and exclusive interviews with your favorite athletes. Explore the dynamic world of Indian sports—from the bustling stadiums to the quiet dedication of rising stars—right here. Discover the stories that shape the nation’s sporting spirit and witness the unfolding drama of the sporting year.
After featuring in the qualifiers of the US Open earlier this year, Indian-American tennis player Nishesh Basavareddy will be gearing up for his Grand Slam debut in January after securing a wildcard entry into the Australian Open. Image credit: X/@ATPChallenger It has been quite a memorable year for Indian-American tennis player Nishesh Basavareddy, who first got a hang of what competing in a Grand Slam feels like after he featured in the Qualifiers of the US Open in August and September. Things got even better for the 19-year-old, who is currently enrolled at the prestigious Stanford University in California, recently when he secured a wildcard entry for the Australian Open in January, thus confirming his debut in the main draw of a Major. Firstpost recently caught up with the teenager who could be the next big Indian-American tennis star after Rajeev Ram, chatting on a variety of topics from his the beginning of his journey in the sport to his expectations from his first Grand Slam appearance. Excerpts: Firstpost: Would you describe this as the biggest moment of your life so far? And what was your first reaction like? Nishesh Basavareddy: I knew after the first round if I made the final, I would get in. I was tight the first day when I found out and I tried to calm myself down and tell myself I had a couple of more matches that I still needed to win before I get the wildcard. After the semi-finals, it's just a huge relief to finally get in, be in first Grand Slam Major also. Just really excited. FP: What was the experience of playing in the US Open qualifiers and how crucial will that experience be for your Grand Slam debut? NB: That was probably the best, the most fun tournament I've had in my life. There are so many fans there... having the support of the home crowd and also a lot of my teammates from school came out. All three of those matches were super enjoyable. Obviously I fell one set short in the final round of the qualifiers, but I think that experience definitely helped a lot just being around a Grand Slam atmosphere, in the same locker room with all the top guys is just really eye-opening and I think that will help me in the Australian Open for sure. FP: What inspired you to pick up a tennis racquet and who were some of your idols growing up? NB: My idols growing up were Novak Djokovic mostly. He's my favourite player since I was young. But my dad kind of inspired me to pick up a racquet. He played recreationally when we used to live in California, and then I just started following him and my older brother on to the court and started playing when I was only three of four years old and it just continued from there. FP: How much of an influence have Indian tennis legends such as Vijay Amritraj, Leander Paes, Sania Mirza had on Indian Americans such as yourself? NB: Even 20-30 years ago, there were virtually no Indian-American tennis players. And then, obviously Rajeev Ram started playing and he's had a great career, and I think following him now there's been a lot of Indian-American tennis players in college tennis and now they're trying to make it on the pro-tour. So I think definitely all those Indian legends have helped make it seem like possible they get to the highest levels of tennis. So they've had a huge impact. FP: What was your first meeting with Rajeev Ram like and how did he inspire you in your tennis journey? NB: I first met him when I was eight years old at a tennis camp. He joined in for a couple of points against me and some other friends. That's when I first met him because we have the same coach. Since then we just started talking a lot, especially in the last couple of years and he's kind of mentored me along this journey in transition from junior tennis to college tennis to pro tennis, and just helped me understand what to expect on tour - the hurdles and also just what I should continue to improve in my game. The tennis knowledge that he has is really good, so he's helped me a lot in this process. FP: What was it like practising with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz in Turin (ATP Finals) last year and how did that change you as a player? NB: That experience was really cool, being at the Finals event. The way they treated the players there and everything was really cool and inspired me to try and get to that level someday. But yeah with Alcaraz, Sinner, Rune and Medvedev, what struck me the most was their movement and their defense on the court. I feel like when I watch some of the other guys on tour, maybe like lower top-100, I feel like these guys just defend the court way better and they're able to create defense to offense at a really high level. So I think that's what struck me the most about what I need to improve in my game. FP: Would you say tennis is the most popular sport among Indian Americans after cricket? Given the number of talents that have emerged from this community including Rajeev Ram? NB: I think so. Most of my friends from when I was younger and they're Indian, all kind of picked up a tennis racquet. So I think in the US, tennis definitely tennis is the most popular sport in the Indian-American community. Because there's not that much cricket here, obviously. FP: What are your short term and long term goals in the sport? And what targets are you setting for yourself as far as the Australian Open is concerned? NB: Short term goal is to qualify for Jeddah at the end of this year. And long-term goals are just to stay healthy and keep improving, and hopefully break the top-100 next year at some point and keep moving up in the rankings. And for the Australian Open, I just want to really enjoy my first Grand Slam and get ready for three-out-of-five-set tennis this off-season. So get physically stronger so I can be able to last in the environment. FP: Who would be your dream opponent from players that are currently active and from players who have ever played the sport? NB: Maybe playing Nadal at the French Open. I think that would be cool. (Alcaraz?) Yeah, or maybe Djokovic. That would be a really cool experience.
Jannik Sinner clinched his first ATP Finals title in Turin, defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4 in a rematch of the U.S. Open final. The 23-year-old Italian dominated the tournament, becoming the first player since 1986 to win the ATP Finals without dropping a set, marking his 70th win and tour-leading eighth title of the year. Sinner, despite an anti-doping controversy, has won 26 of his last 27 matches. Fritz, the first American finalist since 2006, praised Sinner's "insane year" and will rise to a career-high fourth in the rankings. In doubles, Germany's Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz secured vic ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Former India captain Virat Kohli watched the Novak Djokovic vs Alex de Minaur at Wimbledon on Monday. During a chat with Star Sports and JioHotstar he spoke about his favourite tennis player Novak Djokovic and said he hoped Djoko wins the event. He said that would be a tremendous achievement. Kohli felt that playing in Centre Court must be very special. "The pressure these players must feel, especially on Centre Court, is tremendous. The only cricketing equivalent would be a high-intensity World Cup match -- like an India-Pakistan clash or a semifinal or final -- where your legs are l ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a groundbreaking moment that bridges the worlds of global sport and Indian cinema, Wimbledon has paid tribute to Indian actor Thalapathy Vijay and his much-anticipated film Jana Nayagan, a first in the prestigious tennis tournament's history. The tribute came in the wake of an electrifying men's singles final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, widely hailed as one of the greatest matches ever played at Centre Court. As Sinner lifted the trophy in front of a roaring crowd, Wimbledon's official social media account stunned fans by sharing a striking visual: Sinner holding h ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Easing inflation and favourable monsoon boosted rural demand in India in the April-June period this year, outpacing urban consumption once again, according to a new report. According to the report by global research firm NielsenIQ, rural markets and small manufacturers propelled the packaged consumer goods sector in Q2 2025. Rural markets grew twice as fast as cities, as urban areas showed signs of recovery, particularly in smaller towns. According to the report, e-commerce also rose significantly, led by increased shopper penetration and spending, especia ...Read More >
Kolkata, Aug 14 (PTI) Dr Vece Paes, a member of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games bronze-winning Indian men's hockey team and father of legendary tennis player Leander Paes, died here on Thursday morning owing to age-related ailments. He was 80. Paes, who was also suffering from Parkinson's disease, was admitted to the Woodlands Hospital here on Tuesday morning. His last rites will be performed either on Monday or Tuesday, as the family will wait for the arrival of his two daughters, who are both settled abroad. He was married to Jennifer, a former India basketball team captain. Paes, who donn ...Read More >
Born in Goa in April 1945, Dr. Paes, who breathed his last in a city hospital on Thursday following a prolonged illness, excelled in both sports and academics. The death of Dr Vece Paes, a member of India's bronze medal-winning men's hockey team at the 1972 Munich Olympics and father of tennis legend Leander Paes, has cast a pall on the Indian sporting fraternity. Social media was flooded with tributes to the legendary midfielder from the golden era of Indian hockey, whose contribution to sports go beyond his individual on-field brilliance. Born in Goa in April 1945, Dr. Paes, who breathed h ...Read More >
Mumbai, Sep 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tennis star Sania Mirza is not just known for her sporting achievements but also for her wit and candid presence on social media. Recently Sania gave fans a glimpse of a light-hearted moment from the pickleball court that quickly got attention online. Sania revealed how Farah Khan and her team broke into an impromptu dance to Neha Bhasin's trending track "Thumak Thumak" right in the middle of a game. Posting a dance clip, Sania captioned, "This is what happens when I ask them to play pickleball!" The fun exchange showcased the lighter side of sports, where the ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw criticised Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and called him "factually incorrect" over his remark that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID. He added that the people of India have reaffirmed their trust in the NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "As the world's largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in the ND led by PM @narendramodi Ji's leadership. Mr. Zuckerberg's claim that most incumbent governments, ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) On Wednesday, a fan expressed his wish to watch the inaugural NC Classic event, and Rs 2000 to cover his expenses. To his delight, the man on Friday received an all-expense paid trip to the tournament in Bengaluru from Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. Chopra surprised the fan by offering him a full VVIP experience, including accommodation, for the event scheduled for July 5. Also Read | Neeraj Chopra's Heartwarming Gesture Goes Viral, Javelin Star Sponsors a Fan's 'Full VVIP Experience' and Accommodation for NC Classic in Bengaluru (See Post). Ranjith Kumar Ravichandr ...Read More >
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 14 (ANI): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath tore into the Congress on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, calling the 1947 Partition a dark chapter born out of appeasement politics that shattered Sanatan Bharat unity and inflicted deep wounds on the nation, a press release said. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reviving this forgotten history by declaring the day in 2021. Today, the entire country mourns, remembering the horrors of August 14, 1947, he said. The Chief Minister made the statement while inaugurating an exhibition marking Partitio ...Read More >
India, September 2025: Haier Appliances India, the No.1 major appliances brand for 16 consecutive years, proudly takes a winning shot at the prestigious Asia Cup 2025 as the Gold Sponsor. With cricket being India's most celebrated sport, this partnership reinforces Haier's long-term commitment to Sport-o-Tainment marketing, a crucial strategy to deepen connection with India's premium, young and sports-savvy consumers. Cricket in India unites millions as it transforms from being a mere sport into an emotion of greater significance. Recognizing this cultural significance, Haier has strategicall ...Read More >
Bengaluru: India has its task cut out in the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs, beginning at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium on Friday. The odds are stacked against the hosts, who are logged alongside higher-rated sides in Netherlands and Slovenia in Group G.The gulf in rankings between India and its opponents this weekend, underlines the challenge that lies ahead. Sahaja Yamalapalli, No. 309, leads India's singles lineup, followed by Shrivalli Bhamidipaty at No. 381. In contrast, the Netherlands boast ...Read More >
Vece Paes, a former Indian hockey player and father of tennis star Leander Paes, passed away at 80. He was a member of the 1972 Olympic bronze-winning team. Paes also contributed to sports medicine and rugby. His wife, Jennifer, was a former Indian basketball captain. The family awaits his daughters' arrival for the last rites. Dr. Vece Paes, a member of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games bronze-winning Indian men's hockey team and father of legendary tennis player Leander Paes, died here on Thursday ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Venus Williams is all set to make a historic return to the US Open 2025 later this month after receiving a wild-card invitation for the tournament at the age of 45. Thus, she is set to become the oldest singles entrant in the competition since 1981. The last player older than Venus to compete in a major was Renee Richards, who was 47 in 1981, according to the information by the International Tennis Federation. Away from court due to surgery The seven-time Grand Slam winner won the US Open in 2000 and 200. She last played a singles match at the event in 2023, exiting in the first r ...Read More >
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], December 15 (ANI): Day six of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) Season 7 marked the business end of the tournament at the Gujarat University Tennis Stadium, culminating in a high-stakes grand finale, where GS Delhi Aces emerged victorious to clinch their maiden title, as per a TPL release.In the grand finale, GS Delhi Aces and Yash Mumbai Eagles battled it out for the Tennis Premier League Season 7 title. The tie opened with the Women's Singles, where Sofia Costoulas to ...Read More >
New Delhi: Novak Djokovic is set to make headlines as he kicks off his quest for an extraordinary 11th title at the Australian Open 2025, starting this Sunday. In the first round, he will go up against Nishesh Basavareddy, an American player of Indian descent. All eyes will be on this match as Djokovic aims to secure yet another milestone victory in Melbourne. Novak Djokovic, after not claiming a Grand Slam title last year, triumphed with an Olympic gold in Paris by beating Carlos Alcaraz. With the Australian Open on the horizon, Indian tennis great Sania Mirza warns young talents like Jannik ...Read More >
BENGALURU: Carlos Alcaraz will aim to reinforce his status as the new all-court monarch of men's tennis with a third successive Wimbledon title while his chief challenger Jannik Sinner heads to London for revenge after coming off second best in an epic French Open final. Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic must defy age and the odds in what may be the 38-year-old's best opportunity to claim an elusive 25th Grand Slam crown after losing to Alcaraz in the previous two title clashes at the All England Club. Jack Draper will shoulder the burden of British expectations following Andy Murray's reti ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): The prestigious Tennis tournament, Wimbledon, was full of on-court dramas and huge upsets with Iga Swiatek cruising past Amanda Anisimova to claim the women's singles title and Italy's Jannik Sinner making history as he saw off defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for the men's. However, the smashes and serves weren't limited to the court at Wimbledon 2025. The royal box was decked out with Indian celebrities, who served up some serious fashion at the annual tennis championship this year. From Sonam Kapoor's blue Ralph Lauren pantsuit to Neena Gupta's floral pr ...Read More >
New Delhi: Protest at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) against a recently announced fee hike, the long-standing suspension of students' union elections and calls for administrative accountability have entered their sixth day, with students boycotting classes and staging sit-ins at the Bab-e-Syed gate (the iconic entrance of the varsity). The fee structure for different courses has witnessed a sharp revision. Students say the hike ranges from 25% to over 60% across various programmes. Many claim they first learned of the revised fees only while trying to pay through the university's online ...Read More >
New Delhi: It is 3-5, 0-40 in the fourth set of the 2025 Roland Garros final and Carlos Alcaraz is on the brink of losing the game and the match. So many others would have thrown the towel in but Alcaraz instead threw caution to the winds. He went for his shots without fear and won 13 of the next 14 points. And then in the fifth, with Alcaraz serving for the match, Sinner returned the favour by finding a gear that even he didn't know existed. Marathons have a way of drawing something out from deep within and this was no exception. By the time the match ended, no one was talking about shot qu ...Read More >
June 28 (Reuters) - Carlos Alcaraz is chasing a slice of tennis immortality as he arrives at Wimbledon's pristine lawns, where he has the opportunity to join an illustrious but short list of men who have won the grasscourt Grand Slam three years in a row. The Spaniard could join an elite club of just four men -- Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic -- who have claimed three consecutive Wimbledon titles in the Open era. Yet the 22-year-old Alcaraz, radiating confidence that ...Read More >
Pune, January 27, 2022: In tune with their "Sportification of India" theme, Tata Motors, India's leading multinational automobile manufacturer will continue to proactively support the Tata Open Maharashtra tennis tournament, for the fourth consecutive year, from January 31 to February 6, 2022, at the Balewadi stadium here. This year, India's safest hatchbacks, Tata Altroz on its second anniversary, will be the lead car from Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. The Tata Open Maharashtra, South Asia's only ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tournament and the country's oldest sporting interna ...Read More >
KOLKATA: Dr. Vece Paes, a member of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games bronze-winning Indian men's hockey team and father of legendary tennis player Leander Paes, died here on Thursday morning. He was 80 years old. Paes, who was suffering from advanced stage of Parkinson's disease, was admitted to the Woodlands Hospital here on Tuesday morning. Paes was married to Jennifer, a former Indian basketball player who also served as the national team captain. Paes' last rites will be performed either on Monday or Tuesday, as the family will wait for the arrival of his daughters, who are both settled ab ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 14: Medulla Communications Pvt. Ltd., one of the world's most awarded healthcare-specialist advertising agencies, has announced the launch of its new hub in Singapore. With over 15 years of experience in solving complex healthcare challenges, Medulla is now looking to create a super-specialist category as the first digital healthcare advertising agency in Asia. New Hub to Deliver Scalable, Specialist Healthcare Marketing Solutions Across APAC. Also Read | New Cheque Clearing System: Banks To Clear Cheques Within Few Hours Starting October 4, Announces RBI. ...Read More >
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 14 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the loss of hockey legend and Olympic bronze medalist Vece Paes, saying that "his contribution to hockey and sports medicine will be remembered". Indian hockey legend and Olympic bronze medalist Vece Paes, also the father of tennis legend Leander Paes, passed away on Thursday morning. The official X of Hockey India (HI) announced his unfortunate demise at the age of 80.Taking to X, West Bengal CM wrote, "Saddened by the demise of Dr Vece Paes, member of the bronze medal winning team ...Read More >
New Delhi: One-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff of America has won the women's singles final match of the French Open 2025. She defeated world number-1 player Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open women's singles final match on Saturday. Coco Gauff has created history by winning the women's singles title by defeating Sabalenka. In the French Open women's singles final played on Saturday, American player Coco Gauff defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 to win the title. This is world number two Gauff's second Grand Slam title and this is her first major victory ...Read More >
New Delhi: At Wimbledon 1993, Chris Bailey knocked over the net cord umpire off her chair. That iconic moment in Wimbledon history cannot be repeated because the folks who would place their finger on the net to feel the slightest vibration were phased out in 1996. Their place was taken by an automatic system that produced a beep instead. Soon, all majors would follow suit.When play resumes on Monday, June 30, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, a familiar sight will be no more - the line judges. For the first time in Wimbledon's 148-year history, line judges, with their hunched ba ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 8: After a potentially damaging fall in the early stages of his fourth-round clash at Wimbledon against Grigor Dimitrov, world no. 1 Jannik Sinner is planning to get an MRI to further analyse the injury. Sinner, however, reached the fourth round at Wimbledon after Dimitrov was forced to retire due to injury when leading 6-3, 7-5, 2-2. In the very first game of the fourth-round matchup, Sinner appeared en route to a shock defeat, having jarred his elbow during an innocuous-looking slide to the ground. Jannik Sinner Reaches Wimbledon 2025 Quarterfinals Despite Elbow Issue As Injured ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): The prestigious Tennis tournament, Wimbledon, was full of on-court dramas and huge upsets with Iga Swiatek cruising past Amanda Anisimova to claim the women's singles title and Italy's Jannik Sinner making history as he saw off defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for the men's. However, the smashes and serves weren't limited to the court at Wimbledon 2025. The royal box was decked out with Indian celebrities, who served up some serious fashion at the annual tennis championship this year. Also Read | 'Coolie' Trailer Release Date Confirmed: Lokesh Kanagaraj Rev ...Read More >
BENGALURU, Oct 19 (Reuters) - World number nine Jack Draper said the ATP Tour must review its packed calendar if young players are to have long careers, after Holger Rune sustained a serious injury and joined a growing list of players breaking down as the season nears its end. The relentless men's and women's tennis circuits, which run for 11 months, have come under a harsh spotlight in recent weeks with a string of high-profile players, including Draper, pulling out of tournaments and premature ...Read More >