TPL Season 8: Bopanna, Hijikata, Atmane lead marquee line-up for December
Synopsis
TPL Season 8 has assembled its most globally diverse marquee field yet — Bopanna at 46 anchors Indian pride while four other nations contribute players ranked as high as World No. 38. The 12 October auction will determine how eight franchises build around these names before Hyderabad hosts the action from 8 to 13 December.
Key Takeaways
Rohan Bopanna (World No.
1 in doubles, two-time Grand Slam champion) will represent Gurgaon Grand Slammers in TPL Season 8 .
Roman Burruchaga (World No.
60, Argentina) headlines Kolkata Thunder Blades as the top-ranked singles marquee player.
Rinky Hijikata (Australia, 2023 Australian Open doubles champion) joins Rajasthan Rangers ; Terence Atmane (France, World No.
41) leads Mumbai Royals .
The player auction takes place in Mumbai on 12 October ; Season 8 runs from 8 to 13 December at LB Tennis Stadium, Hyderabad .
Matches will be streamed live on JioHotstar from 4:30 PM under the fast-paced 25-point format .
Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna and international stars Roman Burruchaga, Rinky Hijikata, and Terence Atmane will headline the marquee player line-up for the eighth season of the Tennis Premier League (TPL), with the player auction scheduled in Mumbai on 12 October. The competition will run from 8 to 13 December at the LB Tennis Stadium in Hyderabad, with matches beginning at 4:30 PM and streamed live on JioHotstar.
Bopanna Anchors Indian Representation
Rohan Bopanna, 46, will represent Gurgaon Grand Slammers as the marquee pick. A former World No. 1 in men's doubles, Bopanna is a two-time Grand Slam champion — claiming the 2017 French Open mixed doubles title alongside the 2024 Australian Open men's doubles crown. A Padma Shri and Arjuna Award recipient, he brings unmatched experience to the franchise.
'I'm really looking forward to being back at TPL. Every year, the league gets stronger, and I love the team environment and energy the format brings,' Bopanna said. 'This year, the competition will be very high, with a great mix of experienced players and young Indian talent. Hyderabad has always had a strong connection with tennis, so I'm sure the atmosphere will make it even more special.'
International Marquee Players and Their Franchises
Argentina's Roman Burruchaga, 24, is the highest-ranked singles player among the international marquee contingent, currently sitting at World No. 60 after reaching a career-high of 56 earlier this year. He will turn out for Kolkata Thunder Blades.
Australian Rinky Hijikata, 25, joins Rajasthan Rangers. A winner of the 2023 Australian Open men's doubles, Hijikata reached the 2025 Wimbledon men's doubles final and holds a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 23, while currently ranked 82 in singles. 'The 25-point format makes the league very exciting, and I'm looking forward to experiencing the energy in Hyderabad,' he said.
Frenchman Terence Atmane, nicknamed 'The Magician', will headline Mumbai Royals. The 24-year-old reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 41 this year. Compatriot Alexandre Muller, 29, returns for Gujarat Panthers, having achieved a career-high of World No. 38 — making him one of the most seasoned players in the field.
Czechia's Dalibor Svrcina returns for a second consecutive season with Lucknow Blazers, holding a career-high ranking of World No. 86. Croatia's Dino Prizmic, 21 — a former junior World No. 1 and 2023 Roland Garros boys' singles champion — represents Hyderabad Strikers after reaching a career-high of World No. 70 this year. Australian Adam Walton, who has reached a career-high ranking of World No. 74, will represent defending champions GS Delhi Aces.
Format and Broadcasting Details
All eight franchises — Mumbai Royals, Rajasthan Rangers, Gurgaon Grand Slammers, Kolkata Thunder Blades, Lucknow Blazers, Hyderabad Strikers, Gujarat Panthers, and GS Delhi Aces — will compete under the league's signature 25-point format. Each tie features men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles, keeping the action fast-paced and franchise-driven.
What Comes Next
The player auction on 12 October in Mumbai will determine the full squad composition around each marquee player. With Bopanna's experience anchoring the Indian narrative and a strong international field spanning four continents, TPL Season 8 is shaping up as the most competitive edition of the league to date.
Point of View
Leveraging his Padma Shri profile to drive Indian viewership. The international contingent, however, tells a more interesting story: at career-highs of World No. 38 to 60, these are legitimately competitive ATP Tour players, not marquee-by-name-only picks. Whether the 25-point format can sustain broadcast and sponsorship momentum beyond the Hyderabad bubble will determine if TPL grows from niche to mainstream. The absence of top-10 names remains the ceiling on that ambition.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the marquee players for TPL Season 8?
The eight marquee players for TPL Season 8 are Rohan Bopanna (Gurgaon Grand Slammers), Roman Burruchaga (Kolkata Thunder Blades), Rinky Hijikata (Rajasthan Rangers), Terence Atmane (Mumbai Royals), Dalibor Svrcina (Lucknow Blazers), Dino Prizmic (Hyderabad Strikers), Adam Walton (GS Delhi Aces), and Alexandre Muller (Gujarat Panthers).
When and where will TPL Season 8 take place?
TPL Season 8 will be held from 8 to 13 December at the LB Tennis Stadium in Hyderabad. Matches begin at 4:30 PM and will be streamed live on JioHotstar.
When is the TPL Season 8 player auction?
The TPL Season 8 player auction is scheduled for 12 October in Mumbai. Eight franchises will build their full squads around their respective marquee players at the auction.
What are Rohan Bopanna's credentials for TPL Season 8?
Rohan Bopanna, 46, is a former World No. 1 in men's doubles and a two-time Grand Slam champion — winning the 2017 French Open mixed doubles and the 2024 Australian Open men's doubles titles. He is also a Padma Shri and Arjuna Award recipient and will represent Gurgaon Grand Slammers.
What format does the Tennis Premier League use?
The Tennis Premier League uses a team-based, fast-paced 25-point format across four disciplines: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles. Eight franchises compete across the tournament window.
