Indian tennis great Rohan Bopanna has questioned the decision to trim the country's tennis squad for the 2026 Asian Games, arguing that athletes should get an opportunity to prove themselves on the court rather than being judged solely on selection criteria and numbers.

The controversy began after the Sports Ministry removed five players from the 12-member squad submitted by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) for the upcoming Asian Games. The reduced squad has since drawn criticism from Bopanna, who said athletes deserve an opportunity to compete for India.

In a post on LinkedIn, Bopanna said the players were not seeking special treatment but an opportunity to demonstrate their ability.

“I'm a proud Indian. And today, I want to speak up for these tennis players who deserve better. They didn't ask for mercy. They asked for a chance,” Bopanna said.

His criticism centres on the broader question of how India's Asian Games squads should be selected. Bopanna argued that sporting performance should have a greater role in deciding who represents the country.

The former world No. 1 doubles player summed up his position with the line: “Let sport decide, not spreadsheet.”

Five Players Dropped From AITA's List

AITA had submitted a 12-player list for the Asian Games, but five names were subsequently removed by the Sports Ministry. The decision means India's tennis contingent will head into the continental event with a smaller squad than the national federation had proposed.

The cuts have raised concerns about opportunities for players who were included in AITA's original selection but will now miss the event.

Bopanna's intervention adds weight to the debate because of his standing in Indian tennis and his experience of representing the country at major international competitions.

Why the Selection Debate Matters

The Asian Games provide Indian athletes an important international platform, particularly in sports where selection for multi-sport events can influence rankings, exposure and future opportunities.

For tennis players, the chance to compete at a major continental event can also provide valuable experience against strong Asian opposition. Bopanna's argument is that such opportunities should not be determined purely by administrative calculations.

At the same time, the Sports Ministry's decision reflects the selection framework under which India's Asian Games contingents are finalised. The ministry has previously applied performance-related criteria while assessing proposals from national sports federations.

The current dispute therefore goes beyond the five players who were removed. It raises a larger question over how much weight should be given to performance benchmarks, squad limits and federation recommendations when finalising India's entries for a major multi-sport event.

Bopanna's Message to Indian Tennis

Bopanna's comments have brought the issue into public focus ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. Rather than questioning the players' ability, his argument is that they should have the opportunity to settle the matter through competition.

The final tennis contingent will now carry the responsibility of representing India at the continental event, while the selection controversy has put renewed attention on the process used to determine the squad.

For Bopanna, the principle is straightforward: selection decisions should give athletes a genuine opportunity to let their performances on the court make the case.