Bopanna, hailing from Bengaluru on that fateful 1980 day, hung up his racket at 45 following a storied career. Starting young at 19, his breakthrough arrived in 2007 with Sania Mirza at Hopman Cup, runners-up in mixed doubles and grabbing international attention.

The ‘Indo-Pak Express’ with Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi became legendary, peaking with 2010 US Open final and Wimbledon quarters. Olympics called thrice: partnering Bhupathi in 2012, nearly medaling with Mirza in 2016 Rio mixed doubles, and representing in Paris 2024.

Grand Slam glory hit in 2017 French Open mixed doubles alongside Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski. Asian Games 2018 gold with Divij Sharan followed. Age was no barrier—2023 Australian Open mixed finals with Mirza, oldest ATP Masters 1000 winner at Indian Wells, Miami 2024 title, and crowning Australian Open 2024 men’s doubles at 43, plus oldest World No. 1 doubles ranking.

Enter Gayatri Gopichand, born March 4, 2003, into badminton royalty. With father Pullela Gopichand’s coaching legacy and mother PVV Lakshmi’s Olympic pedigree, shuttles were destiny. She and Sai Vishnu dominated early training.

Junior stardom: 2017 World Juniors round of 16, junior Grand Prix finals. At 15, India’s under-17 No. 1 and youngest Asian Games team member in 2018. Senior debut 2019 led to South Asian Games gold and Kathmandu Meter gold.

Polish International 2021 runner-up. Commonwealth 2023: mixed team silver, women’s doubles bronze. Asian Team Championships gold highlights her versatility.

From Bopanna’s enduring grit to Gayatri’s explosive start, March 4 inspires a new generation of athletes to chase dreams unbound by age or expectation.

Drawing athletes from 31 nations, 490 cities worldwide, and every corner of India—spanning 32 states and UTs—this marathon has evolved into a global phenomenon. Competitors will tackle full, half, 10K, or 5K distances, with top Indian talents like Anish Thapa, Beliyappa, Man Singh, Gopi T, Dr. Kartik, Akshay Saini, and female stars Bhagirathi Bisht, Nirmaben Thakor Bharatji, Ashwini Jadhav, Disket Dolma, and Stanjzin Dolkar leading the charge.

Positioned as an Asian Games qualifier, the race carries high significance for elites. Remarkably, 20 visually challenged runners join the fray, highlighting inclusivity. Funds raised—Rs 10 lakh—will support the Athletics Federation of India’s junior development programs.

‘It’s not just a race; it’s a festival of humanity and solidarity,’ said NEB Sports’ Nagraj Adiga. ‘Our global turnout and inspiring inclusivity fill us with pride. This platform empowers athletes to reach new heights.’ From elite showdowns to everyday heroes, the marathon promises to unite and uplift.

The event features diverse distances—full, half, 10K, and 5K races—drawing top talents such as Anish Thapa, Gopi T, Man Singh, and a strong contingent of elite runners including Bhagirathi Bisht and Disket Dolma. Positioned as an Asian Games qualifier, it elevates the competitive edge.

Breaking barriers, the marathon includes 20 visually challenged runners, underscoring its ethos of unity. Funds raised, amounting to Rs 10 lakh, will bolster junior athletics development through the Athletics Federation of India.

Race Director Nagraj Adiga shared his vision: ‘This isn’t just an event; it’s a festival of perseverance and togetherness. With such diverse global involvement, we’re fostering an inspiring platform for athletes everywhere.’

Anticipation builds as Delhi transforms into a runner’s paradise, with security, logistics, and spectator zones in full swing. This marathon isn’t merely about speed—it’s a testament to resilience, community, and the joy of movement.

Fans can expect to see powerhouses like Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, and Elena Rybakina in action. Alongside them will be other prominent players including Paula Badosa, Rohan Bopanna, Gael Monfils, Arthur Fils, Sumit Nagal, Magda Linette, and Marta Kostyuk. Adding to the excitement, India’s own tennis stars Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Maaya Revathi, Dhakshineswar Suresh, and Shivika Burman will also be competing.

World No. 5 Elena Rybakina expressed her enthusiasm for her Indian debut, stating, “I’ve heard so much about the tennis culture in India, and I’m thrilled to make my debut here with WTL. The league has an exciting format, and I’m ready to enjoy every moment on the court with my team.” The WTL features a dynamic round-robin format where four teams battle it out. Each tie includes men’s singles, women’s singles, and two doubles matches, with the top two teams progressing to the final.

The league’s co-founder, Mahesh Bhupathi, highlighted the significance of the WTL’s Indian launch. “India has always shared a deep and lasting connection with tennis, and the WTL’s arrival here is an opportunity to strengthen that bond. This format brings out the fast, dynamic, and engaging side of the competition,” he commented. Bhupathi further added that the tournament aims to inspire the next generation by showcasing top international talent alongside India’s best.

The tournament boasts an impressive roster of international stars, including Grand Slam champions Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, and Elena Rybakina. Alongside them, fans can also look forward to seeing Paula Badosa, the accomplished Rohan Bopanna, the dynamic Gael Monfils, rising star Arthur Fils, India’s own Sumit Nagal, Magda Linette, and Marta Kostyuk.

Adding further excitement, the WTL has integrated some of India’s most promising talents. Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Maaya Revathi, Dhakshineswar Suresh, and Shivika Burman will also be competing, showcasing the burgeoning tennis scene in the country.

Elena Rybakina, currently ranked World No. 5, expressed her enthusiasm for her Indian debut. “I’ve heard so much about the tennis culture in India, and I’m thrilled to make my debut here with WTL. The league has an exciting format, and I’m ready to enjoy every moment on the court with my team,” she stated.

The WTL features an innovative round-robin format where four teams will battle it out. Each match-up will include men’s singles, women’s singles, and two doubles contests. The top two teams will then progress to the championship final.

Mahesh Bhupathi, a celebrated 12-time doubles Grand Slam champion and Co-Founder of the WTL, highlighted the significance of this Indian launch. “India has always shared a deep and lasting connection with tennis, and the WTL’s arrival here is an opportunity to strengthen that bond. As someone who has lived the sport, I believe this format brings out the fast, dynamic, and engaging side of the competition. With international champions sharing the court with India’s top talent, we hope to inspire the next generation of players and showcase tennis as a sport that is intense, global, and full of possibility,” he remarked.

Fans can look forward to seeing top players like Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, Elena Rybakina, and Paula Badosa compete. Alongside them, Indian tennis stars Rohan Bopanna, Sumit Nagal, and others will also be in action. The WTL will also highlight India’s promising talent, including Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina, and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, adding a strong local flavor to the international competition.

World No. 5 Elena Rybakina expressed her excitement about playing in India for the first time. She remarked on the country’s vibrant tennis culture and her eagerness to experience the WTL’s dynamic format. The tournament will adopt a round-robin format, featuring men’s singles, women’s singles, and two doubles matches per tie. The two highest-ranked teams will then proceed to the final.

Mahesh Bhupathi, a co-founder of the WTL and a celebrated Grand Slam champion, emphasized India’s significant connection to tennis. He believes the WTL’s format perfectly captures the sport’s fast-paced and engaging nature. Bhupathi also highlighted the league’s potential to inspire young Indian players by showcasing a blend of global champions and domestic talent.