Bengaluru : Deadline: In a riveting climax to the 2025 World Tennis League (WTL), Dhakshineswar Suresh was instrumental in guiding the Aussie Mavericks Kites to their first-ever championship, as they defeated the previously unbeaten AOS Eagles 22-19 in the final at the SM Krishna Stadium on Saturday. The dynamic mixed-team event, staged over four days in front of capacity crowds, offered both high-quality tennis and a showcase for emerging Indian talent.
Suresh, the 25-year-old towering left-hander currently studying at Wake Forest University in the United States, announced himself as a player of significant promise with a series of standout performances throughout the tournament. In the decisive final set against the AOS Eagles, he avenged an earlier group-stage loss to Sumit Nagal by winning the men’s singles tiebreak 7-6, securing the championship for the Mavericks Kites.
The Kites’ path to glory was not straightforward. After languishing at the bottom of the standings at the end of Day 2, they staged a remarkable comeback under the league’s points-based format, which rewards every set and match. In the semifinals, Suresh delivered a signature performance by defeating former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev 6-4 in a deciding set to propel his team into the title match — a significant upset given Medvedev’s pedigram .
The final itself showcased momentum swings and compelling tennis. Ukrainian star Marta Kostyuk opened the scoring for the Kites with a 6-4 win over Shrivalli Bhamidipaty of the Eagles. The Eagles responded in the mixed doubles as Shrivalli and Gaël Monfils beat Suresh and Kostyuk 6-3, keeping the contest tight. However, Suresh and Nick Kyrgios restored Kites’ advantage in the men’s doubles with a 6-3 victory over Monfils and Nagal, setting up Suresh’s titanic singles duel with Nagal.
The World Tennis League’s unique four-set, mixed-team format brought together a star-studded field, including Monfils, Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov, Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, alongside Indian stalwarts such as Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, Nagal and Ankita Raina. The league also featured emerging Indian prospects like Shrivalli, Sahaja Yamalapalli and Maaya Rajeswaran Revathi, whose exposure to elite competition added to the tournament’s developmental impact.
The final attracted notable spectators, including cricket legends Kapil Dev and KL Rahul, underlining the event’s growing appeal among Indian sports fans. Overall, the 2025 WTL showcased not only thrilling competition and surprises but also marked a breakthrough moment for Suresh, whose performances in Bengaluru could serve as a springboard for future success on the professional circuit.
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