New Delhi, Nov 13 (NationPress) As India prepares to welcome the Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs for the very first time at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru from November 14 to 16, captain of the Indian squad, Vishal Uppal, expresses optimism, stating, "The Indian team will come out all guns blazing."

"I can assure you that the Indian team is determined to give it their all, focusing on every point with utmost dedication. We are a process-driven team, concentrating on our methods rather than the outcome. While we cannot dictate the results, we can certainly manage our mindset and our efforts, and that’s where our focus will lie," he emphasized.

This moment marks a significant milestone, as it is India's inaugural hosting of an international women's tennis tournament of this caliber. Such events are pivotal, not only bringing elite sports to Indian grounds but also providing local talents with the invaluable chance to compete at the highest levels in their home environment.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has allocated Rs 80 Lakh in financial support to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) initiative to facilitate the execution of the Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs in Bengaluru.

India, currently ranked World No. 27, is set to face a tough competition against Slovenia (World No. 19) and the Netherlands (World No. 14) in Group G. "Our preparations have been excellent, and we have dedicated ourselves to getting ready for this historic encounter in Bengaluru. The team’s morale is exceptionally high," added Uppal.

"It was essential to receive the needed backing from the Sports Authority of India and the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, as our athletes depend heavily on such support. The entire team is immensely grateful for it," he remarked.

Through its Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) initiative, SAI has also approved a Senior National Coaching Camp for 12 members, including 10 players, conducted from November 4 to 11, 2025, at the same venue in Bengaluru.

The training camp featured athletes —Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Ankita Raina, Riya Bhatia, Prarthana Thombare, and reserve Vaidehee Chaudhari—under the mentorship of Uppal and coach Radhika Kanitkar, with physiotherapists Dipali Pandey and Namita Rao offering their expertise.

Sahaja and Shrivalli are part of the TAGG program, which is designed to provide comprehensive support to Asian Games medal contenders, particularly in sports where India has recently faced challenges in securing Olympic medals, such as surfing, gymnastics, cycling, tennis, and others.

SAI previously provided Rs. 40 Lakh to AITA for the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group-1, held in Pune from April 7 to 15 this year, along with separate funding for a preparatory camp from April 1 to 7.

The seven group winners from the playoffs in Bengaluru will secure a spot in the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, paving the way for a chance to compete in the prestigious Finals.