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India achieved a remarkable second-place finish at the ITF Asia Under-14 Development Championships Finals, which took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from March 29 to April 10, 2026. Puneeth Manohar and Srishti Kiran earned their spots for the prestigious 2026 Wimbledon U-14 Championships due to their outstanding performances.

Overview of the Championship

The tournament saw participation from 14 countries over a two-week period, with India finishing in second place, trailing only behind Chinese Taipei after leading the standings in the first week.

Key Players and Their Contributions

The Indian team was prominently represented by a strong contingent from Karnataka, including Srishti Kiran, Padmapriya Ramesh Kumar, and Puneeth Manohar, along with Taanish Nanda from Punjab. Their consistent performances in both singles and doubles contributed significantly to India's overall points tally.

Puneeth Manohar emerged as a key player, clinching the boys' singles title in the first week. He staged a comeback from a set down to defeat Hong Kong's Him Wong with scores of 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the final, saving a match point in the process. He also finished as the runner-up in boys' doubles during the second week.

In the girls' category, Srishti Kiran showcased her talent by reaching the singles finals in both weeks, finishing as the runner-up on two occasions. She lost to Ke-Chieh Hsu from Chinese Taipei in the Week 1 final and also secured a runner-up position in girls' doubles during the same week.

Padmapriya Ramesh Kumar and Taanish Nanda also made notable contributions. Padmapriya partnered with Srishti to finish as runners-up in girls' doubles in Week 1, while Taanish achieved a runner-up finish in boys' doubles in Week 2, notably defeating top seed Frans Ethan from Indonesia on his way to the singles semi-finals. Their performances led to the Karnataka trio being selected for the Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP)/ ITF/ ATF Europe U-14 development team.

Players' Reactions to Wimbledon Qualification

Srishti Kiran expressed her excitement, stating, "It is always a privilege to play for India. Qualifying for Wimbledon is a dream come true, and I am eager to compete on grass at such a prestigious venue. Receiving my medals and qualification in the presence of Sunil sir made it even more special."

Puneeth Manohar shared his joy, saying, "I feel incredibly happy and proud to have qualified for the U14 Wimbledon event. It has always been a dream to play on such a prestigious stage, and this opportunity means a lot to me. The hard work, training, and support from my coaches and family have made this moment very special."

Official Recognition of Achievements

The ITF Asia U-14 Development Championships, organized by the International Tennis Federation in collaboration with the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), is recognized as the premier competition in the region for this age group, featuring separate draws and titles over two weeks.

Sunil Yajaman, Joint Secretary of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, commented on the achievement, stating, "It is a proud moment to witness our players deliver such strong performances at top-tier regional events. I extend my congratulations on their outstanding achievements. Securing multiple podium finishes and qualification for Wimbledon reflects their immense potential and the growing stature of Indian tennis on the international circuit."