The Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia-Oceania Group I has taken center stage in Pune, India, as the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex hosts this prestigious women’s tennis event from April 8 to 13, 2025. As of today, April 10, 2025, the tournament is in full swing, marking the first time Pune has welcomed this international competition—the “World Cup of Tennis” for women. With six nations battling in a round-robin format, the spotlight is firmly on host India, led by Ankita Raina, as they aim to secure one of the two coveted playoff spots and etch their name in the tournament’s history.
In This Article:
A Historic Hosting
Pune’s debut as a Billie Jean King Cup venue is a landmark moment for Indian tennis. Maharashtra last hosted the event 25 years ago, and this edition, running through Sunday, is India’s first time staging it in a decade. The Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA), in collaboration with the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Pune Metropolitan District Tennis Association (PMDTA), has pulled out all the stops. Tournament Director Sunder Iyer emphasized the significance: “Pune is creating history by hosting the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time in its century-long tennis legacy. The home advantage—weather, food, and crowd support—should propel our girls forward.”
Six teams—India, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Korea Republic, and Thailand—are competing on the hard courts of Balewadi. Each tie features two singles matches followed by a doubles clash, with the top two teams advancing to the November playoffs and the bottom two facing relegation to Group II in 2026. The stakes are high, and the action has already delivered thrills.
India’s Campaign: A Mixed Start
India, captained by Vishal Uppal and coached by Pune native Radhika Kanitkar Tulpule, kicked off their campaign on April 8 against a formidable New Zealand side. The squad—Ankita Raina (World No. 207), Sahaja Yamalapalli (No. 316), Shrivalli Bhamidipaty (No. 345), Vaidehi Chaudhari (No. 364), doubles specialist Prarthana Thombare (No. 140 in doubles), and reserve Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi—entered with high hopes, backed by home support and sponsorship from Pune-based spice brand Suhana.
Day 1 saw a gritty but disappointing 1-2 loss to New Zealand. Shrivalli Bhamidipaty sparked optimism with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Aishi Das in the first singles, showcasing her potential against a lower-ranked opponent. However, New Zealand’s Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun (No. 44) leveled the tie, defeating Sahaja Yamalapalli 6-2, 6-4. The deciding doubles went down to the wire, with Raina and Thombare saving three match points before succumbing 6-3, 6-4 to Sun and Monique Barry after Thombare netted a crucial volley. It was a repeat of India’s 1-2 loss to New Zealand in 2024, a bitter pill for the hosts.
India bounced back on April 9 against Thailand, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Bhamidipaty again shone, stunning World No. 170 Lanlana Tararudee 6-2, 6-4—a massive upset given her 345th ranking. Raina sealed the tie with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Mananchaya Sawangkaew (No. 111), though Thailand salvaged a point in doubles. This win, India’s first of the tournament, has reignited their playoff aspirations.
Key Battles and Standouts
As of April 10, India sits with a 1-1 record, having faced two of their five round-robin opponents. Today’s tie against Korea Republic pits them against Sohyun Park (No. 310), who recently won a title in India, and a resilient Korean squad. Upcoming matches against Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong China will test India’s depth, with Raina’s experience and Thombare’s doubles prowess likely to be decisive.
Elsewhere, Hong Kong China edged Chinese Taipei 2-1 on April 9, showcasing the group’s competitiveness. New Zealand’s Lulu Sun remains a standout, her top-50 pedigree posing a threat to all. Thailand’s Tararudee and Sawangkaew, despite their loss to India, are proving tough to crack, while Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland (No. 250) and Korea’s Park add firepower to the mix.
The Bigger Picture
For India, the Billie Jean King Cup is a chance to build on their third-place finish in the 2024 Asia-Oceania Group I in China, where they narrowly missed the playoffs. Their best effort came in 2021, reaching the playoffs before a 3-1 loss to Latvia ended their run. Coach Tulpule, a former player with deep ties to Pune, is optimistic: “Our team is strong, and the home crowd is a blessing. I feel the trophy could come home this time.”
The tournament’s free entry has drawn enthusiastic local crowds, with live coverage on DD Sports and streaming on the Billie Jean King Cup website amplifying its reach. Supported by the Sports Authority of India, the Maharashtra government, and partners like Bisleri and Dunlop, the event underscores India’s growing tennis infrastructure.
What Lies Ahead
With three ties remaining—Korea today, followed by Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong China—India’s path to the playoffs hinges on consistency. Bhamidipaty’s emergence as a giant-killer and Raina’s leadership offer hope, but they’ll need to overcome strong opponents like Sun and Thailand’s singles duo. A top-two finish would mark only their second playoff qualification, a milestone last achieved four years ago.
As the Billie Jean King Cup spotlight shines on Pune, the city is abuzz with tennis fever. Whether India can harness their home edge to rise above the pack remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this week is a defining moment for Indian women’s tennis. The action continues, and the nation watches with bated breath.
-By Manoj H
Also Read – IPL 2025: Mid-Season Drama and Playoff Race Heats Up
