Tennis legends join AITA panel to revive Indian tennis

Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have been elected to the Executive Committee of the All India Tennis Association.

The two Indian tennis legends secured their places in the 15-member committee after first being elected as Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit representatives to the AITA General Body.

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

Sania received 18 votes.

Janaki Krishnamoorthy got 13 votes.

Vishal Uppal polled seven.

The election marks a significant step toward greater representation of former athletes in the administration of Indian tennis.

The AITA Constitution, amended in July in line with the National Sports Governance Act, now provides for two SOM representatives in the Executive Committee — one male and one female.

The same amendment created four SOM positions in the General Body: two male and two female.

Earlier, in the General Body elections, Bhupathi secured 19 votes.

Sania received 18 votes.

Ashutosh Singh, the current Davis Cup coach, won 17 votes.

Shalini Thakur Chawla, the former Billie Jean King Cup captain, received 16 votes.

Those four were elected as SOM representatives to the General Body.

With Bhupathi and Sania now in the Executive Committee, they will not be allowed to contest for office-bearer posts such as president, general secretary or treasurer in the upcoming AITA elections scheduled for November 27.

Speaking after her election, Sania told ANI that 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 said.

"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."

"But we're very happy to be elected in the general body, and I think our vision and our goal are one, which is to try and make Indian tennis better."

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

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

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

"I think there are multiple things, whether it's development programs," she said.

The election results were reported on November 5, 2026.

Bhupathi and Sania were chosen from a roster of 40 players for the SOM category, according to The Hindu.

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

However, the process is not entirely settled.