Rohit Rajpal throws hat into ring for AITA president’s post

New Delhi: Rohit Rajpal has thrown his hat into the ring for the All India Tennis Association (AITA) president’s post, setting up a potentially keen contest ahead of elections likely to be held in late Oct or early Nov this year.The AITA is currently functioning under the interim supervision of court-appointed administrator, retired Justice Gita Mittal. The administrator has opened the process for Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM) candidates seeking to contest the elections for AITA office-bearer posts.Rajpal, 55, will contest through the general body and file his nomination through his state association. He is currently president of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA), an Executive Committee member of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), an AITA office-bearer and the non-playing captain of the Indian Davis Cup team.“It is after a lot of introspection and interactions with well-wishers in the tennis fraternity and other friends that I have decided to contest the forthcoming elections of the prestigious All India Tennis Association as President,” Rajpal said in a statement.“Tennis is not just a sport for me; it has been my life since the time I was a young boy who wished to make it big. At 55, when many summers have passed, my heart still beats for Indian tennis. It is my dream and vision for India that a sport which has produced so many champions at home should grow further by leaps and bounds,” he added.Rajpal, a former Asian Junior champion and Asian Games medallist whose playing career was cut short by a serious back injury, said his experience in tennis administration and the Davis Cup had strengthened his resolve to seek the top post.“Having been involved in tennis matters at large for almost a decade in AITA and DLTA has been a learning and enriching hands-on experience,” he said. “As the non-playing Davis Cup captain of Team India in several Davis Cup engagements, it was enormously satisfying to be with and motivate our immensely talented players to give their best and bring glory to the nation by advancing to the second-round qualifiers.”India will face South Korea in Seoul on September 18-19 for a place in the final eight of the Davis Cup. Rajpal, however, will have to relinquish the Davis Cup captaincy if he is elected AITA president.“This journey has given me the confidence to now step forward and announce my candidature as President of All India Tennis Association as a step forward in my desire to contribute to the growth and development of tennis in India,” Rajpal said.“With your support, I plan to adopt player-centric approach and policies, good governance and transparency above all. I plan to share my vision document in due course,” he added.Chintan Parikh of the Gujarat association is also expected to contest the president’s post. It is learnt that Indian tennis legend and Bengal Tennis Association president Leander Paes could also enter the fray. Paes, who took charge of the Bengal association in Nov 2025, would likely come through the SOM route and file his nomination.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.