Tennis Premier League Unveils 2026 Race to Gold Masters for Young Athletes
Exciting Announcement for Junior Tennis Players
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 9: The Tennis Premier League (TPL) has revealed the schedule for the 2026 Race to Gold (RTG) Masters, a grassroots initiative aimed at nurturing 36 talented junior tennis players from six states—Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and the North Zone. This initiative will provide scholarships to these promising athletes, as stated in a recent press release.
Additionally, two champions from the U-14 category will have the chance to attend the Australian Open in 2027 through the newly launched TPL Road to the Australian Open program.
The Race to Gold Masters is set to unfold over three weekends in November, featuring competitions for U-10, U-12, and U-14 boys and girls.
– TPL North Zone Masters: November 14–15, DLTA, Delhi
– TPL Gujarat Masters: November 21–22, SRT10 Altevol Centre of Excellence, Ahmedabad
– TPL Maharashtra Masters: November 28–29, Goregaon Sports Club, Mumbai
The scholarships aim to assist young players not only on the court but also by providing tennis gear, customized apparel, expert coaching, and opportunities to interact with renowned Indian tennis stars like Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna, along with international athletes.
The 36 scholarship recipients will be honored during the Tennis Premier League Season 8 in Hyderabad this December, with the ceremony being part of the live broadcast on JioHotstar. Since its inception, the Race to Gold scholarship initiative has aided 80 young players.
In addition to the RTG scholarship program, TPL and its affiliated teams have organized eight complimentary tennis camps across various states. These camps have educated children and their parents on nutrition, fitness, and mental training, laying the groundwork for the next generation of tennis stars in India.
To add an exciting international aspect to the Race to Gold initiative, the TPL Road to the Australian Open 2027 has also been introduced.
The six U-14 boys and six U-14 girls who receive scholarships from the six regions will compete in a final round-robin tournament in Mumbai on November 29.
The top boy and girl from this tournament will each win a trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open 2027, with Kia India covering the costs for both the player and one parent.
The Race to Gold initiative reflects the Tennis Premier League's dedication to fostering tennis at the grassroots level and creating pathways for young athletes to thrive in the sport.
Kunal Thakkur, Co-founder of the Tennis Premier League, expressed, “Race to Gold is a crucial step towards our goal of enhancing the grassroots tennis ecosystem in India. With 36 scholarships and the Road to the Australian Open, we are providing opportunities for young talent to aspire for greater achievements. We are grateful for Kia India's support in this endeavor.”
Mrunal Jain, Co-founder of the Tennis Premier League, added, “Our aim is to assist young athletes beyond the court. The Race to Gold scholarships and the Australian Open opportunity will equip aspiring players with the necessary resources, exposure, and motivation to elevate their game. Kia India's backing will amplify our impact at the grassroots level.”
In its inaugural year of collaboration with TPL, Kia India is committed to bolstering the league's vision of enhancing grassroots tennis in India and creating significant opportunities for young athletes to refine their skills and chase their dreams on an international platform.