Puneeth Manohar, Srishti Kiran set for Wimbledon U-14 debut on July 9
Synopsis
Two 14-year-olds from Bengaluru are about to walk onto the grass courts of Wimbledon — and they are the only Indians doing it. Puneeth Manohar, Asia's No. 1-ranked U-14 player, and Srishti Kiran, girls' runner-up at the Asian Championships, have earned one of junior tennis's most exclusive invitations. For Indian tennis development, this is a rare, concrete milestone.
Key Takeaways
Puneeth Manohar and Srishti Kiran , both 14, from Bengaluru will compete at Wimbledon's 14 & Under Championships from 9–12 July 2026 .
They are the only Indian players in the U-14 category at Wimbledon this year.
Puneeth is ranked Asia's No.
1 in the Under-14 division after winning the Week 1 singles title in Colombo.
Srishti Kiran qualified as the girls' singles runner-up across both weeks of the ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championships in Colombo, Sri Lanka .
Both players have arrived at the All England Club for grass-court acclimatisation ahead of the draw.
Wimbledon introduced the 14 & Under event in 2022 ; the format uses a round-robin group stage followed by semi-finals.
Puneeth Manohar and Srishti Kiran, two 14-year-old tennis players from Bengaluru, are set to become the only Indians competing in the 14 & Under Junior Championships at Wimbledon this year, with the tournament scheduled from 9 to 12 July 2026 at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London. The duo qualified through dominant performances at the ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championships in Colombo, Sri Lanka, earning berths on the elite ITF Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP) touring team.
How They Qualified
Puneeth Manohar enters Wimbledon ranked No. 1 in Asia in the Under-14 division — a position he secured by clinching the Week 1 singles title in Colombo. Srishti Kiran matched his momentum by finishing as the girls' singles runner-up across both competitive weeks of the same Asian Championships. Their qualification spots are among the most coveted in junior tennis development, reserved exclusively for top performers on the ITF's Asia circuit.
What the Players Said
'Stepping onto the grass courts at Wimbledon is a dream I have had since I first picked up a racquet,' said Puneeth. 'Finishing on top in the Asian Championships gave me a lot of confidence, and training on grass courts over the last few weeks has prepared me well. I am incredibly grateful to KSLTA, my coaches, and my sponsors for believing in me. I cannot wait to wear the Indian colours at the All England Club.'
Srishti Kiran described the moment as surreal. 'The competition in Colombo was intense, but it pushed me to play my best tennis. Transitioning to grass has been an amazing challenge, and I am focused on taking it one match at a time. Representing Karnataka and India on this global stage is an absolute honour,' she said.
Significance for Indian Junior Tennis
The two Karnataka players have already arrived at the All England Club for specialised grass-court acclimatisation sessions ahead of the tournament draw. Notably, they are the only Indian representatives in the U-14 category at Wimbledon this year, making their participation a landmark moment for junior tennis development in the country.
Sunil Yajaman, Joint Secretary of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), highlighted the journey: 'Watching Puneeth and Srishti transition from local state tournaments to the iconic courts of Wimbledon is incredibly rewarding. They have shown remarkable discipline and grit. Their presence at the All England Club will undoubtedly inspire thousands of young boys and girls across Karnataka and India to pick up a tennis racquet and dream big.'
About the Tournament
Wimbledon officially introduced the 14 & Under singles event in 2022 to provide an international platform for top junior talent on the historic grass courts. The format features a round-robin group stage followed by semi-finals and consolation playoffs. The championships run alongside the main Wimbledon tournament's second week. Separately, the regional 'Play Your Way to Wimbledon' 14 & Under National Finals, supported by the LTA, are scheduled at the Wimbledon grounds from 2 to 6 August 2026.
With Wimbledon's junior development platform still relatively new, Puneeth and Srishti's debut places them among a select group of Indian players to have competed at the All England Club at this age level — a stepping stone that could define the trajectory of their careers.
Point of View
But a merit-based berth earned at a competitive Asian qualifying event. The fact that they are the only Indians in the U-14 draw, however, also underscores how thin the pipeline remains: two players from one state, one city, one circuit. The AITA and state bodies should treat this not as a celebration point alone but as a diagnostic — what systemic support made Karnataka produce these two, and why isn't it replicable across 28 other states?
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Puneeth Manohar and Srishti Kiran?
Puneeth Manohar and Srishti Kiran are 14-year-old tennis players from Bengaluru, Karnataka. They are the only Indian representatives in the 14 & Under category at Wimbledon 2026, having qualified through the ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championships in Colombo.
When is the Wimbledon 14 & Under Championships 2026?
The Wimbledon 14 & Under Junior Championships are scheduled from 9 to 12 July 2026 at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London. The event runs alongside the second week of the main Wimbledon Championships.
How did Puneeth and Srishti qualify for Wimbledon?
Both players earned their spots by performing at the ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championships in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Puneeth won the Week 1 singles title to become Asia's No. 1-ranked U-14 player, while Srishti finished as girls' singles runner-up across both competitive weeks, securing places on the ITF Grand Slam Player Development Programme touring team.
What is the format of the Wimbledon 14 & Under event?
The tournament uses a round-robin group stage followed by semi-finals and consolation playoffs. Wimbledon introduced the 14 & Under singles event in 2022 to give top junior talent competitive experience on grass courts at the All England Club.
Why is this significant for Indian tennis?
Puneeth and Srishti are the only Indians competing in the U-14 category at Wimbledon 2026, making their appearance a landmark for junior tennis development in the country. AITA Joint Secretary Sunil Yajaman noted that their journey from state-level tournaments to Wimbledon is expected to inspire young players across Karnataka and India.
