Rohan Bopanna and Roman Burruchaga headline the eight-player marquee list for Kia Tennis Premier League Season 8, with the player auction scheduled for October 12 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai.
The eight franchises will build their squads around their designated marquee players ahead of the season, which will be staged at LB Tennis Stadium in Hyderabad from December 8 to 13. Mumbai Royals, Rajasthan Rangers, Gurgaon Grand Slammers, Kolkata Thunder Blades, Lucknow Blazers, Hyderabad Strikers, Gujarat Panthers and defending champions GS Delhi Aces all have a leading player in place.
Bopanna will represent Gurgaon Grand Slammers, while Argentina’s Burruchaga has been named by Kolkata Thunder Blades. The announcement also includes Australian Rinky Hijikata for Rajasthan Rangers, Frenchman Terence Atmane for Mumbai Royals, Czechia’s Dalibor Svrcina for Lucknow Blazers, Croatia’s Dino Prizmic for Hyderabad Strikers, Australian Adam Walton for GS Delhi Aces and Frenchman Alexandre Muller for Gujarat Panthers.
Bopanna brings experience as Burruchaga leads singles rankings
Bopanna leads the marquee group with a long list of achievements in doubles. The 46-year-old Indian is a former world No. 1 in men’s doubles and a two-time Grand Slam champion, having won the French Open mixed doubles title in 2017 and the Australian Open men’s doubles title in 2024. He has also received the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award.
“I’m really looking forward to being back at Kia TPL,” Bopanna said. “Every year, the league gets stronger, and I love the team environment and energy the format brings.”
He added that the competition would be high because of the blend of experienced competitors and young Indian players, and said Hyderabad’s connection with tennis would add to the occasion.
Burruchaga, 24, is the highest-ranked current singles player among the international marquee contingent. The Kolkata Thunder Blades player is ranked world No. 60 and reached a career-high world No. 56 earlier this year. The Argentinian has established himself as a regular presence on the ATP Tour.
Hijikata arrives at Rajasthan Rangers with Grand Slam doubles success on his record. The Australian won the 2023 Australian Open men’s doubles title, reached the 2025 Wimbledon men’s doubles final and has achieved a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 23. He is currently ranked world No. 82 in singles.
“I’m really excited to be part of the Rajasthan Rangers and make my Kia TPL debut this season,” Hijikata said. “The 25-point format makes the league very exciting, and I’m looking forward to experience the energy in Hyderabad.”
Eight franchises set for auction before Hyderabad season
Atmane will spearhead Mumbai Royals after reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 41 this year. Svrcina returns to Lucknow Blazers for a second consecutive season and has reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 86.
Prizmic, the Hyderabad Strikers marquee player, is a former junior world No. 1 and won the 2023 Roland Garros boys’ singles title. The 21-year-old reached a career-high ranking of world No. 70 this year. Walton joins defending champions GS Delhi Aces, bringing a career-high ranking of world No. 74 along with ATP Tour and Grand Slam experience.
Muller completes the line-up as Gujarat Panthers’ returning marquee player. The 29-year-old has reached a career-high ranking of world No. 38.
Season 8 will use the league’s team-based format across men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles, with every match played under a fast-paced 25-point format. Matches are scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM and will be streamed live on JioHotstar.
