Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza elected to AITA Executive Committee

Indian tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have been elected to the AITA Executive Committee, bringing greater representation of former players into the sport's administration. The duo aims to use their experience to strengthen Indian tennis and improve the support system for emerging players.Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza elected to AITA Executive Committee. Courtesy: PTINew Delhi,Nov 5, 2026 23:02 ISTIndian tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have been elected to the Executive Committee of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), marking a significant step towards greater representation of former athletes in the administration of Indian tennis.The duo secured their places in the 15-member Executive Committee after first being elected as Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) representatives to the AITA General Body. Bhupathi polled 23 votes, the highest among the candidates, while Sania received 18 votes in the Executive Committee election.Their inclusion is part of the wider governance reforms aimed at giving accomplished sportspersons a greater say in the functioning of national sports federations. The amended AITA Constitution provides for two SOM representatives in the Executive Committee, with one position each reserved for a male and female representative.Also Read: Chennai Open: Maaya Rajeshwaran India's last singles hope as Vaishnavi Adkar bows out Earlier, Bhupathi and Sania had secured 19 and 18 votes, respectively, in the General Body elections. Ashutosh Singh and Shalini Thakur Chawla were the other two candidates elected as SOM representatives.SANIA, BHUPATHI WANT TO IMPROVE INDIAN TENNISSpeaking after her election, Sania said the objective was to use their experience as professional athletes to understand the requirements of players and contribute towards the development of Indian tennis. "I think that we are just trying to use our experience to try and understand what the players need more. I think that it's too early to answer the question exactly what, because there are still a lot of things to be put into place with the president, vice president, EC. There are many things still to be done," Sania told ANI."Our vision and our goal are one, which is to try and make Indian tennis better. And I think all of us come together here with that vision," she added.Sania also stressed the importance of building a comprehensive support system for upcoming players, including quality coaching, tournament exposure, guidance, fitness support and access to physiotherapists and trainers.Bhupathi, meanwhile, brings considerable administrative and international playing experience to the table. The former doubles world No.1 won 12 Grand Slam titles, including four in men's doubles and eight in mixed doubles.Sania, who retired from professional tennis in February 2023, reached the world No. 1 ranking in women's doubles in 2015 and won six Grand Slam titles across women's doubles and mixed doubles.The AITA is scheduled to hold its elections on November 27. Their inclusion in the Executive Committee gives two of India's most successful tennis players an opportunity to contribute directly to the sport's administration and help shape its future.- Ends