Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza just took over Indian tennis.

Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza are set to become the two Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) in the 15-member All India Tennis Association Executive Committee that will be formed later this year after fresh elections.

They were chosen from a roster of 40 players on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The two are also among four SOMs elected to the AITA General Body.

Current Davis Cup coach Ashutosh Singh and former Billie Jean King Cup captain Shalini Thakur Chawla are the other two former players in the General Body.

The AITA Constitution, which was amended in line with the National Sports Governance Act back in July, provides for four SOM representatives in the General Body — two male and two female.

It also provides for two SOM representatives in the AITA Executive Committee — one male and one female.

With Bhupathi and Sania set to take their places in the Executive Committee, they will not be able to contest the polls for other office-bearer posts such as president, general secretary and treasurer.

Bhupathi polled 23 votes in the Executive Committee election, the highest among all candidates.

Sania received 18 votes.

Earlier, Bhupathi secured 19 votes in the General Body election, while Sania got 18 votes.

Both players bring unparalleled international success to their new administrative roles.

Bhupathi has 12 Grand Slam titles across men's and mixed doubles.

Sania, a former world No. 1 in doubles, has six Grand Slam victories.

Speaking after her election, Sania said the objective is to use their experience as professional athletes to understand what players need.

"I think that we are just trying to use our experience to try and understand what the players need more," Sania told ANI.

"I think that it's too early to answer the question exactly what, because there are still a lot of things to be put into place with the president, vice president, EC."

"There are many things still to be done," she added.

"Our vision and our goal are one, which is to try and make Indian tennis better," Sania said.

"And I think all of us come together here with that vision."

Sania also stressed the importance of building a comprehensive support system for upcoming players.

She cited quality coaching, tournament exposure, guidance, fitness support and access to physiotherapy as key areas.

"There are many things that go into making of a tennis player," she noted.

Bhupathi has not yet made a public statement about his election.

The inclusion of Bhupathi and Sania is part of wider governance reforms aimed at giving accomplished sportspersons a greater say in the functioning of national sports federations.

The National Sports Governance Act, passed by the Indian Parliament, mandates greater representation of former athletes in sports administration.

The AITA amended its constitution in July 2026 to comply with the Act.

This amendment created the SOM positions that Bhupathi and Sania now occupy.

However, the legal picture remains complicated.

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear on Friday, November 6, 2026, administrator Justice (retd.)

Gita Mittal's request to implead the AITA Trust and the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) for corruption.

The court will also hear a contempt petition filed against AITA's interim office-bearers.

The contempt petition alleges "active obstruction and suppression of information" from the administrator.

It remains to be seen in which direction proceedings in the Delhi High Court with respect to amending the AITA Constitution go.

The AITA Executive Committee, once fully formed, will oversee the day-to-day operations of Indian tennis.

This includes organizing tournaments, selecting national teams, managing coaching staff and allocating funding.

The SOM representatives are expected to bring on-the-ground knowledge of what professional players actually need to compete at the highest level.

Indian tennis has produced several Grand Slam champions over the past three decades, including Leander Paes, who won 18 major titles.

But the sport has struggled to develop a consistent pipeline of singles players who can break into the top 100.

Sania Mirza remains the only Indian woman to have won a WTA singles title.

Bhupathi and Paes together revolutionized Indian doubles tennis in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The two won three consecutive Grand Slam men's doubles titles in 1999.

Bhupathi later became the first Indian to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, in 2024.

Sania retired from professional tennis in February 2023 after the Dubai Tennis Championships.

She has since worked as a commentator and mentor.

Bhupathi has been involved in tennis administration through his own tennis academy and various advisory roles.

Their election to the Executive Committee marks the first time two Grand Slam-winning former players will sit on the AITA's highest decision-making body simultaneously.

The AITA General Body includes representatives from state associations, along with the four SOM members.

The General Body elects the office-bearers and the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee is the day-to-day governing body of the federation.

Under the amended constitution, the Executive Committee must include at least two SOM members.