Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina and Sumit Nagal The eighth edition of the Tech Word News Sports Awards (TOISA) will be held on March 21, 2026 in Lucknow and will celebrate the achievements and inspirational journeys of India’s top athletes across various sports. TOISA 2025 will recognize performances from January 1 to December 31, 2025, recognizing exceptional moments from global championships and international tournaments. More than 45 categories will honor both sporting icons and emerging talents who have brought pride to the country.Winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of sporting legends including Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal and Leander Paes, ensuring a credible recognition of excellence in Indian sports.Here are the tennis players nominated for TOISA 2025:tennis (men)Rohan BopannaDate of birth: March 4, 1980Place of Birth: Bengaluru, KarnatakaSports: TennisMajor achievements in 2025:US Open: He played his last Grand Slam match in New York.Paris Masters: Working with Alexandre Bublik in his last tour-level appearance.He officially retired from professional tennis in November 2025 at the age of 45.A true legend of the sport, Rohan Bopanna ended his illustrious two-decade career in 2025. After becoming the oldest World No. 1 and Grand Slam champion in 2024, Bopanna used his final season to bid farewell to the global circuit, ending his journey as one of tennis’ most respected figures. His retirement marked the end of an era in Indian tennis and left behind a legacy of 26 ATP titles and two Grand Slam crowns.Yuki BhambriDate of birth: July 4, 1992Place of Birth: New DelhiSports: TennisMajor achievements in 2025:Dubai Tennis Championships (ATP 500): Gold (doubles with Alexei Popyrin)US Open: Reaches first ever Grand Slam semifinal (doubles with Michael Venus)ATP ranking milestone: He broke into the world top 20 in doubles.He surpassed Rohan Bopanna to become India’s No. 1 player in doubles.Yuki Bhambri enjoyed a sensational 2025, fully establishing himself as one of the world’s elite doubles specialists. In Dubai, he secured his first ATP 500 title and made a historic run to the semi-finals of the US Open, becoming the last Indian to reach the final of a Major this year. By climbing into the global top 20, Bhambri effectively took over the mantle of leadership in Indian men’s tennis after Bopann’s retirement.Sumit NagalDate of birth: August 16, 1997Place of Birth: Jhajjar, HaryanaSports: TennisMajor achievements in 2025:Australian Open: Participant in the Main Draw.Copa Faulcombridge: Reached the quarter-finals in Valencia.Braga Open: Quarter-finalist.He ended the year as the highest-ranked Indian singles player.Sumit Nagal continued to lead India’s singles on the ATP Challenger and World Tour in 2025. He maintained a presence in Grand Slam main draws and ensured consistent results on his preferred clay courts in Europe, reaching several quarter-finals. Nagal’s resilience throughout the year ensured that India remained represented in the upper echelons of the global singles rankings during a transition period for the national team.tennis (female) Ankit’s lineDate of birth: January 11, 1993Place of Birth: Ahmedabad, GujaratSports: TennisMajor achievements in 2025:WTA 125 Chennai Open: Semi-finalist (singles).ITF W60 Traralgon (Australia): Quarter-finalist.He held India’s No. 1 position for a significant part of the year.Ankita Raina has remained the most consistent force in Indian women’s tennis throughout 2025. Her standout performance came at the WTA 125 Chennai Open where she thrilled the home fans by advancing to the semifinals after a grueling win over Romania’s Irina Bara. On the international circuit, she went on to collect victories in Australia and Europe, proving her longevity and status as a mainstay of India’s Billie Jean King Cup team. Vaishnavi AdkarDate of birth: December 14, 2004Place of Birth: Pune, MaharashtraSports: TennisMajor achievements in 2025:FISU World University Games: Bronze (Women’s Singles).Fenesta Women’s Nationals: Gold (National Champion).First Indian woman to win a tennis medal at the World University Games.Vaishnavi Adkar made history in 2025 by winning a bronze medal at the FISU World University Games in Rhineland-Ruhr, Germany, ending a 46-year medal drought for India in tennis at the event. Her quarter-final win over home favorite Sina Herrmann secured India’s first medal in the sport since 1979. On home soil, she cemented her rising status by winning the prestigious Fenesta National title, marking her as the country’s brightest young prospect.Only YamalapalliDate of birth: October 29, 2000Place of Birth: Hyderabad, TelanganaSports: TennisMajor achievements in 2025:WTA Chennai Open: Won her debut WTA main draw match.ITF W35 Santo Domingo: Gold (doubles title with Hiroko Kuwata).She reached and held the No. 1 national ranking in women’s singles.In 2025, Sahaja Yamalapalli made significant strides on the professional tour, highlighted by her successful debut on the WTA circuit in Chennai, where she claimed her first main draw win. She also added the ITF doubles title in the Dominican Republic to her trophy cabinet. By ending the year as the AITA National No. 1, Sahaja confirmed her position as a top contender to lead the next generation of Indian women’s singles.
