Top News

Paris: Indian tennis player Karman Kaur Thandi is set to make a return to the Grand Slam stage after securing a place in the qualifying rounds of the upcoming French Open, marking an important milestone in her comeback journey following a lengthy injury battle.

Her participation carries additional significance as it marks the first time since Wimbledon 2025 that an Indian player will feature in a Grand Slam singles event.

For the 27-year-old Delhi-born player, the upcoming appearance at Roland Garros represents not only a return to elite competition but also the culmination of a determined recovery journey.

Injury setbacks disrupted promising rise

Karman Kaur Thandi had shown significant promise early in her career and reached a career-best ranking of world No. 196 in August 2018.

Standing at 1.83 metres, she developed a style built around aggressive baseline play and a powerful serve, attributes that made her one of India’s notable singles prospects.

However, repeated injury setbacks interrupted her progress on the professional circuit.

A serious injury suffered in late 2023 resulted in an extended rehabilitation period and kept her out of competitive action for more than a year.

The lengthy absence had a substantial impact on her rankings, causing her active WTA position to drop significantly.

Protected ranking helps secure entry

Her opportunity to compete in Paris became possible through the WTA’s Protected Ranking system, which allows players returning from long-term injuries to enter tournaments based on previous rankings.

Using a protected ranking of 238, Thandi initially remained outside the direct qualification line as the 16th alternate.

Her position was later confirmed following several withdrawals from the tournament field.

Return represents major achievement

Karman Kaur Thandi has previously competed in Grand Slam qualifying tournaments, including appearances at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 and the US Open in 2023.

However, her return this time is being viewed as one of the most challenging and meaningful chapters of her career.

Although recent appearances in lower-tier events reflected the expected effects of returning from a long layoff, her qualification for Roland Garros is seen as a significant achievement.

Beyond rankings and results, her return to a Grand Slam environment highlights a journey of perseverance and determination, offering encouragement for Indian tennis and its aspirations on the international stage.