Tennis Premier League: The Role of a Mature Tennis League for Indian Sports

Remember when Sania Mirza and Leander Paes put Indian tennis in the spotlight? For decades, tournaments like Wimbledon—with over 145 years of legacy—and the US Open—with more than 140 years of history—have set global benchmarks for the sport.

Now, India has its own story to tell. The Tennis Premier League (TPL), just seven years old, is giving the country a homegrown stage that’s catching international attention and creating new opportunities for players, fans, and brands alike. 

Bringing together stars like the recently-retired Rohan Bopanna, Luciano Darderi, Corentin Moutet, and Alexandre Muller, TPL is blending experience, flair, and competitiveness in a format designed for today’s audiences. The league’s growing popularity reflects a larger shift—tennis in India continues to be a fast-evolving sport with mass appeal. 

With over 41 million tennis fans, India now ranks as the third-largest tennis audience in the world. As digital platforms expand access and leagues like TPL make the game more relatable, tennis is moving beyond elite circles to become part of India’s mainstream sporting culture. 

This blog explores how the Tennis Premier League is shaping a sustainable ecosystem—strengthening fan engagement, nurturing new talent, and opening fresh commercial avenues for the sport. 

How Tennis Captured Indian Audiences 

Tennis has arguably been the #2 sport covered in India since the last century, with a rich history dating back to the 1880s when British officers introduced the game. India reached the Davis Cup finals in 1966 and again in 1974, with legends like Ramanathan Krishnan reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 1960 and 1961, and Vijay Amritraj making quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open in the 1970s. This deep-rooted legacy continued through the modern era with Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza achieving Grand Slam success. 

Apart from performances from homegrown stars, tennis worldwide also sees widespread consumption in India. The US Open 2025 set record viewership in India with 877 million combined minutes across TV and digital platforms, while Wimbledon 2024 drew record-breaking numbers, with 36.3 million viewers and 930 million cumulative watch minutes. The Alcaraz-Djokovic final became the most-watched men’s Grand Slam match ever on Indian television, reflecting how deeply the sport now resonates with audience. 

Tennis has firmly established itself as a premium sport in India, with 65% of JioHotstar's Wimbledon audience belonging to NCCS A (the most affluent demographic), 55% from India's top eight metros, and 57% of television viewers coming from urban India with 65% aged above 22. This premium positioning has attracted advertisers from luxury categories including automobiles, financial services, luxury fittings, and consumer electronics, with 50% more BFSI clients participating in Wimbledon 2025. 

Tennis attracts an affluent, urban, and globally minded audience which makes it a valuable segment for certain brands, particularly those with international expansion plans. According to research, tennis audience are five times likelier than average to shop online for mutual or money market funds, three times likelier to research stocks online, and notably more educated, with 47% having attended college and 22% having graduate school education.  

India’s tennis fandom has grown significantly over the years through a mix of inspiring player performances and wider accessibility to global tennis events. Tennis viewership in India has surged over the past few years, powered by world-class performances and easier access to major tournaments. Wimbledon 2024 drew record-breaking numbers, with 36.3 million viewers and 930 million cumulative watch minutes—a 176% jump from the previous year.  

What Makes the Tennis Premier League Stand Out? 

TPL offers a grassroots, sustainable, home-grown format that addresses a critical gap in India's tennis ecosystem. With the country's professional tennis calendar limited and the global circuit intensely crowded, TPL provides consistent domestic action when international tournaments are out of reach—creating opportunities for players and engagement for fans throughout the year. 

Season 7 builds on this foundation with innovative concepts like the "Race to Gold," enhanced digital fan engagement through the official TPL app, and strategic franchise expansion that connects more regions and communities to the sport.  

As a team-based league rooted in local communities, TPL complements the individual nature of professional tennis while offering India's premium, affluent tennis audience regular access to competitive action—building a sustainable ecosystem for the sport's long-term growth beyond the constraints of the global calendar.  

• Grassroots Commitment: TPL continues to invest in grassroots programs through youth scholarships, junior tournaments, and community tennis drives. These initiatives are helping identify and develop the next generation of Indian talent, ensuring a strong pipeline for the future. 

• Digital Reach and Impact: TPL’s online presence has become a powerful growth driver for the league. During Season 6 (1 July – 31 December 2024), the league achieved an impressive 99.8 million total reach and more than 517 million video views across Instagram and Facebook. With over 1.1 million content interactions in just six months, TPL demonstrated that tennis can command massive digital attention in India — setting the foundation for even greater momentum in Season 7. 

• Innovative Format: Eight franchises compete in high-intensity 20-point matches across men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles — a format that keeps play fast, dynamic, and easy to follow for new audiences.

• World-Class Venue: The Gujarat University Tennis Stadium in Ahmedabad hosted this season, marking TPL’s presence in one of India’s most vibrant sporting cities and aligning with Ahmedabad’s readiness for global-level tennis events. 

• Elite Lineup: With players ranked among the world’s top 50 alongside India’s best, TPL consistently delivers competitive, high-quality tennis that appeals to both purists and casual fans. 

• Fan Engagement: TPL’s engagement goes far beyond match days. The official TPL App serves as a one-stop digital hub where fans can follow tournaments, participate in contests, and even locate nearby courts to play on. Through initiatives like Race to Gold—which offers scholarships worth ₹75,000 to 64 young players—the league ensures that no tennis talent, no matter how remote, goes unnoticed. This fusion of competition, technology, and accessibility brings the sport closer to everyday fans while nurturing India’s next champions. 

Together, these elements make TPL a benchmark for how a homegrown league can build excitement, expand accessibility, and inspire the next wave of tennis enthusiasts in India. 

Brand Collaborations Fueling Growth and Opportunity 

TPL’s strength lies not just on the court but in its ecosystem of forward-thinking brand partnerships that amplify fan engagement and operational excellence. 

Unibic powers the fan experience with delightful snacks, keeping audiences engaged and energized through matches.Ola’s role as official travel partner brings seamless transport solutions for teams and officials. This partnership highlights the critical role logistics play in running a professional league efficiently. 

Additionally, Sofitel's premium hospitality offerings elevate the league’s stature by delivering top-notch experiences for players and guests. 

Jeep India’s association goes beyond traditional sponsorship—it’s a dynamic integration of brand storytelling and sport. As the Official Drive Partner, Jeep provides on-ground mobility for players and officials while reinforcing its brand ethos of strength and endurance. The collaboration extends powerfully to digital, where Jeep amplified the league through social media content like this official Instagram reel, highlighting the synergy between Jeep’s adventurous identity and TPL’s competitive spirit. This digital-first approach has helped both brands reach wider audiences, blending lifestyle appeal with sporting excellence.  

Yonex’s six-year partnership has led to 60% of national quarterfinalists adopting their gear, demonstrating the league’s influence on professional standards in Indian tennis.  

Capitalizing on India’s Tennis Story with TPL and Zupotsu  

Marquee players, fast-paced formats, and strategic brand partnerships have collectively elevated the Tennis Premier League to one of the country’s most popular sports leagues. 

For marketers looking to tap into this vibrant space, the key lies in authentic involvement across all layers—community engagement, digital content, player health, and premium experiences. This is where platforms like Zupotsu become invaluable—helping brands discover, connect with, and activate the most relevant sports marketing opportunities efficiently and effectively. 

As tennis sheds its old image and becomes India’s sport for all, the Tennis Premier League alongside innovative marketing partners like Zupotsu is set to serve up a new era of growth, engagement, and sporting excellence.  Zupotsu is a martech platform on a mission to ‘digitize’ sports marketing. Zupotsu enables the discovery, engagement, and evaluation (the ‘DEE’ framework) for every sports and esports marketing asset. Please sign up at www.zupotsu.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Reach out at ‘marketing@zupotsu.com’ for any queries.