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

India's Tennis Team Prepares for Upcoming Challenges

New Delhi, September 9: Rohit Rajpal, the non-playing captain of India's Davis Cup team, expressed his support for the nation's tennis players as they gear up for the 2026 Asian Games. He emphasized the necessity of early preparation for the upcoming Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2 match against South Korea in Seoul.

The Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, will follow closely after India's Davis Cup tie against South Korea. The Indian tennis squad is set to face a formidable challenge in Seoul before shifting their focus to the multi-sport event.

India's match against South Korea is slated for September 18 and 19 at the Olympic Tennis Court in Seoul.

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

In an interview, Rajpal reiterated India's consistent performance in tennis at the Asian Games and expressed confidence in the team's ability to secure medals in 2026. He mentioned that the quantity and type of medals will hinge on factors such as player form, conditions, and the draw in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.

“The Asian Games follow right after the Davis Cup. Historically, we have always contributed to the medal tally. Even at the last Asian Games, we secured three or four medals. I am confident we will do so again, but whether in singles, doubles, or mixed doubles is uncertain. It all depends on local conditions, performance during matches, and the draw. However, we will certainly contribute,” he stated.

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

“Everything is progressing well. We are on our way to Seoul and plan to arrive early for practice. From what I’ve heard, they have significantly slowed down the court, which could benefit Kwon. We want to evaluate how slow it is and adjust our game plan accordingly,” he explained.

Rajpal also pointed out South Korea's recent victory over Argentina and their strong home performance. He believes that the hosts have considerable depth, with even lesser-known players capable of achieving significant wins on their home turf.

“We have been analyzing their matches, and their win against Argentina was impressive. Argentina is a tough opponent, and winning against them is no small feat. I have experience competing in Korea, having won my Asian Championships in Seoul. Korean players excel at home, and even lesser-known players can defeat top-ranked opponents. They have a lot of depth, and many prefer not to compete outside Korea,” he remarked.

Rajpal expressed a preference for hosting the tie in India, as it would have provided both home and surface advantages. Nonetheless, he emphasized the need for the team to adapt and prepare thoroughly in Seoul.

“I would have preferred to host the match here for the home advantage and surface familiarity. However, we must make the best of the situation, which is why arriving early and preparing well is crucial,” he concluded.