From Majuli to Melbourne: Samuel Doley's Inspiring Tennis Journey
Samuel Doley's Remarkable Rise in Tennis
Samuel Doley with Rohan Bopanna
Guwahati, Oct 28: Just a few years ago, Samuel Doley, a young boy from Majuli, had little knowledge of tennis. His early interests were limited to martial arts classes until 2024.
Now, in October 2026, Samuel is gearing up to meet tennis stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton at the upcoming 2027 Australian Open.
He is among only four Indian youngsters chosen as ball kids for this prestigious Grand Slam event in Melbourne.
“I’m thrilled about this opportunity. I never thought something like this would happen to me,” Samuel expressed excitedly during a phone call from Bengaluru.
Samuel is one of 27 underprivileged children from Majuli and Bongaigaon who have been receiving fully funded residential training at the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy (RBTA) in Bengaluru for the last two years.
National trials for the Australian Open ball kids took place in New Delhi on October 24 and 25, attracting around 700 children aged 12 to 15 from various regions. After rigorous selection, 60 finalists were chosen, with four—two boys and two girls—selected to head to Melbourne.
Out of the 27 children from Assam, three reached the final stage in Delhi, with Samuel being the only one to secure a spot.
Coming from a farming family in Chanong village, Samuel is eager to witness his favorite players in action and hopes to interact with them, take photos, and learn from their experiences.
As a fan of Shelton, he is particularly excited about the chance to meet Alcaraz during the tournament.
Samuel aspires to become a professional tennis player and is thankful to Rohan Bopanna for the chance to train at the academy.
“When they announced my name, I was overwhelmed with emotion. It’s hard to describe how significant this moment is, not just for me but for my entire family. This opportunity, which once felt so distant, is now within reach,” Bopanna, a former world No. 1 in doubles, shared.
“Kudos to him for qualifying. It’s incredible to think he’s going from Majuli to Melbourne,” the three-time Olympian remarked.
“Melbourne has been a place of great achievements for me. Knowing that Samuel will walk those same courts, carrying his own dreams, is more meaningful than any trophy,” he added.
Bopanna, a two-time Grand Slam champion, called Samuel’s selection an “incredible story.”
This journey was made possible through the Bhoomi Program, backed by the Kamal India Foundation UK.
“We visited Majuli and Bongaigaon to find talented kids and bring them to Bengaluru for tennis training. We assessed around 300 children, shortlisted about 100 to come to Guwahati, and ultimately selected 27 to move to Bengaluru,” Bopanna explained.
The program provides these children with boarding, lodging, education, tennis training, and support in psychology and nutrition.
“Samuel is one of the participants in this initiative. He has been fully engaged in the program here in Bengaluru,” Bopanna noted.
The Australian Open is scheduled to take place from January 11 to 31, with the main draw commencing on January 17.