Rohit Rajpal Optimistic About India's Tennis Prospects at 2026 Asian Games

Rohit Rajpal, the non-playing captain of India's Davis Cup team, is optimistic about the country's tennis prospects at the 2026 Asian Games. He emphasizes the importance of early preparation as the team faces South Korea in the Davis Cup Qualifiers. Rajpal, a former Asian Games medalist, believes that Indian tennis has a strong history of contributing to the medal tally and is confident that this trend will continue. He also highlights the challenges posed by South Korea's home advantage and the need for strategic adjustments. As the team prepares for these significant events, Rajpal's insights shed light on the upcoming challenges and opportunities for Indian tennis.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 9, 2026, 22:59 IST

Preparation for the Davis Cup and Asian Games

Rohit Rajpal, the non-playing captain of India's Davis Cup team, expressed his belief that the nation's tennis players will significantly add to the medal tally at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. He emphasized the necessity of early preparation as the team gears up for their Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2 match against South Korea in Seoul.

The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, immediately following India's Davis Cup tie against South Korea. The Indian tennis squad will face South Korea on September 18 and 19 at the Olympic Tennis Court in Seoul.

Confidence in Medal Contributions

Rajpal, who himself won a bronze medal at the 1990 Asian Games, noted that Indian tennis has a strong history of contributing to the medal tally at these Games and is hopeful that this trend will continue. He acknowledged that the results will depend on various factors, including playing conditions, player form, and the draw.

In a statement, Rajpal remarked, "India has consistently added to the Asian Games medal tally in tennis, and I am confident we will do so again in 2026. However, the quantity and type of medals will depend on factors such as player form, conditions, and the draw in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events. Historically, we have contributed to the medals tally, and I believe we will do so again this time."

Davis Cup Challenge Ahead

Before the Asian Games, India will compete against South Korea in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2. Rajpal mentioned that the court conditions have been altered to slow down the surface, which may benefit South Korean player Soonwoo Kwon. He emphasized the importance of assessing the court conditions to adapt their strategy accordingly.

Rajpal stated, "We are all heading to Seoul early to start our practice. From what I have gathered, the court has been slowed down, which could favor Kwon. We want to evaluate how slow the surface is and adjust our game plan accordingly."

South Korea's Home Advantage

Rajpal pointed out South Korea's recent victory over Argentina and their strong home performance. He believes that even lesser-known Korean players can achieve significant wins on their home turf.

He commented, "We have observed many matches recently, including their win against Argentina, which is impressive. Korean players are very comfortable competing at home, and they often perform at their best in Korea. Even lesser-known players can defeat top-ranked opponents here."

Desire for Home Advantage

Rajpal expressed a preference for India to host the tie, as it would have provided a home advantage in terms of both support and surface familiarity. Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of making the most of the current situation by arriving early and preparing thoroughly in Seoul.

He concluded, "I would have preferred if the match was held in India, as it would have given us both home and surface advantages. However, we must adapt and prepare well for the challenge ahead."