India’s Wimbledon Story: A Forgettable 2025, But Leander Paes And Sania Mirza Still Inspire

India's journey at Wimbledon has seen several iconic moments that etched their place in tennis history. From pioneering runs in singles to Grand Slam victories in doubles, Indian tennis once boasted a strong presence on the hallowed grass courts of the All England Club.

However, Wimbledon 2025 proved to be a contrasting chapter, marked by a disappointing performance and no representation in the singles draw.

India's Glorious Past at Wimbledon

The legacy began with Ramanathan Krishnan, who became the first Indian to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 1960 and 1961. Known for his graceful serve-and-volley style, Krishnan defeated top seeds and brought global attention to Indian tennis during that era.

Following him was Vijay Amritraj, one of the most recognizable Indian faces in international tennis. Amritraj reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 1973 and 1981. In 1973, he defeated the formidable Jan Kodeš before bowing out to the eventual champion in a grueling match. His attacking flair and elegant net play made him a fan favorite in London.

Ramesh Krishnan, son of Ramanathan, carried the legacy forward. He won the Wimbledon junior title in 1979, a rare feat for Indian tennis, and made it to the fourth round of the men's singles in 1986, showcasing his touch and tactical brilliance on grass.

India's greatest success at Wimbledon came in doubles. The pairing of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, famously known as the "Indian Express", created history in 1999 by becoming the first Indian duo to win the Wimbledon men's doubles title. That year, they reached the finals of all four Grand Slams, cementing their legacy as one of the most formidable teams in tennis history.

Leander Paes also shone in mixed doubles, winning the Wimbledon title in 2003 with Martina Navratilova, and again in 2010 with Cara Black, displaying his longevity and courtcraft.

On the women's side, Sania Mirza made her mark by winning the Wimbledon women's doubles title in 2015 alongside Swiss star Martina Hingis. Their dominance was unmatched, and they went on a 41-match unbeaten streak, making Mirza the first Indian woman to win a senior Wimbledon title.

Wimbledon 2025: A Year to Forget

In sharp contrast to these past achievements, no Indian player qualified for the singles main draw at Wimbledon 2025. Sumit Nagal, India's top-ranked singles player, fell short in the qualifying rounds, leaving the country unrepresented in the men's and women's singles brackets.

India's presence was limited to the men's doubles draw:

Yuki Bhambri and partner Robert Galloway reached the third round, the best Indian performance this year.

Rithvik Bollipalli and Nicolas Barrientos won their opening match but exited in the second round.

N. Sriram Balaji and Miguel Reyes-Varela also progressed to Round 2.

Veteran Rohan Bopanna, paired with Sander Gille, suffered a first-round defeat, ending his campaign prematurely.

There is a huge difference between India's celebrated past and the underwhelming 2025 campaign is clearly visible. As legends like Vijay Amritraj pointed out, there's a growing concern over India's dwindling singles representation and limited grassroots development. "There is very little associations can do if players aren't coming up," Amritraj recently told TOI.

While the doubles performances offered minor consolation, the absence of Indian singles players on Centre Court serves as a reminder of the need to rebuild and reinvest in the sport. For Indian tennis to reclaim its former Wimbledon glory, a long-term vision and support for upcoming talent is the need of the hour.