Indian tennis prodigy Hitesh Chauhan, 17, eyes ATP top 30 after historic French Open win. Driven to revive tennis in India, Chauhan speaks on his Wimbledon prep, Nadal inspiration, and national dreams. Discover the journey of this rising star reshaping Indian tennis with grit and passion.
At just 17 years of age, Hitesh Chauhan is not only breaking records but also attempting to reshape the future of Indian tennis. In a sport long overshadowed by cricket in India, Chauhan is lighting a new spark with both his talent and vision. Recently, he made headlines as the first Indian since 2016 to reach the second round of the French Open Juniors—a feat that has put him firmly on the map as a promising global tennis talent.
But Chauhan’s ambitions stretch far beyond personal accolades. In an exclusive interview with IANS, he revealed a larger, more inspirational mission: to reignite India’s passion for tennis. “My goal is to bring tennis back to life in India,” Chauhan declared. “Not at the level of cricket, of course, but I want to give it the recognition it deserves.”
Born and raised in an environment far from the traditional tennis powerhouses, Chauhan’s journey to Roland Garros has been anything but ordinary. His resilience, work ethic, and unwavering focus have now propelled him into the international spotlight. For Chauhan, this is just the beginning.
A Dream Beyond Grand Slams
While the allure of Grand Slams certainly excites the young player, his motivations are deeply rooted in patriotism and inspiration. “It’s going to be a long, tough journey. I don’t think I’m even halfway there, but through it all, I just want to make my country, my parents, my coaches, and everyone at Roundglass proud,” he shared.
“I want every Indian to see tennis. I want them to see an Indian playing Grand Slams, being in the top 50, and top 30 in the ATP rankings. I’m ready for the competition, ready for the hard work,” he added with conviction.
French Open: A Milestone Moment
Chauhan’s debut victory at a Grand Slam came in the doubles draw at the French Open Juniors, where he partnered with Turkey’s Haydar Cem Gokpinar. Together, they overcame Sweden’s Ludvig Fredrik Hede and Switzerland’s Flynn Thomas with a confident 7-5, 6-3 win in the opening round.
“It was an awesome experience,” Chauhan recalled. “Playing with the champs, seeing ATP stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and stepping onto those historic courts—it was something I’ll never forget.”
In a poetic twist of fate, his first win came during the very tournament where Rafael Nadal—Chauhan’s idol—was honoured for his legendary career. The coincidence served as an emotional and motivational moment for the teenager.
“Rafa is an inspiration. I always thought I’d want to be like him one day. He played the French Open when he was 17. Thinking about him gave me a lot of motivation,” he said.
Fighting Spirit in Defeat
Although Chauhan’s journey ended in the next round with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to the American duo of Noah Johnston and Benjamin Willwerth, it was his spirit during the match that left a lasting impression. Battling cramps in the second set, Chauhan chose not to withdraw, instead continuing to fight for every point.
His coach at Roundglass Academy, Aditya Sachdeva, was full of praise. “When I called him after the match, he said, ‘In my mind, you have won. In my heart, you have won.’ He told me how proud the entire team was. That match, even though I lost, felt like a win,” Chauhan shared.
Next Stop: Wimbledon Dreams
With the clay courts of Paris behind him, Chauhan is now preparing for the prestigious grass courts of Wimbledon. Training at the Chandigarh Club, he is making his first adaptation to the fast, slippery surface.
“The preparation for Wimbledon is going pretty well. It’s a blessing we have grass courts here. I’ve been focusing on movement and fitness because the game is so physical on grass. It’s all in the mind, but your body has to be ready,” he explained.
Before heading to Wimbledon, however, Chauhan will participate in the British Open at Roehampton—an event he refers to as “do-or-die.” Reaching the semifinals in singles could earn him a special exemption into the Wimbledon main draw.
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“Singles is my priority,” Chauhan said firmly. “I have to give everything in that tournament. I have to reach the semifinals, no matter what.”
A Nation’s Hope
In Hitesh Chauhan, India finds not just a tennis player, but a symbol of ambition, dedication, and national pride. His performances, mindset, and passion are already inspiring a new wave of young athletes who dare to dream beyond cricket fields.
While the road to the top 30 in ATP rankings is long and arduous, Chauhan’s vision for Indian tennis is clear and unwavering. If his journey so far is any indication, the revival of tennis in India may already be underway—rallied by a 17-year-old who refuses to quit, even when the odds are against him.
