KSLTA felicitates Rajeev Ram in Bengaluru after 22-year tennis career
Synopsis
Six-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 doubles player Rajeev Ram chose Bengaluru — city of his family heritage — as his very first stop after retiring from a 22-year professional career. KSLTA's felicitation at SM Krishna Stadium, attended by his mother Sushma Ram and leading figures from Indian tennis, was less a civic ceremony and more a personal homecoming.
Key Takeaways
KSLTA felicitated Rajeev Ram at the SM Krishna Stadium , Bengaluru, on 2 September .
Ram, a six-time Grand Slam Champion and former World No.
1 in doubles, chose Bengaluru as his first official stop after retiring from professional tennis.
His 22-year career included a three-peat at the US Open and multiple Olympic medals .
The ceremony was led by Maheshwar Rao, IAS (Commissioner, Greater Bengaluru Authority) and Sunil Yajaman (Joint Secretary, AITA).
Ram's mother, Sushma Ram , and Indian Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali were among those in attendance.
The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) hosted a felicitation ceremony at the SM Krishna Stadium in Bengaluru on 2 September to honour Rajeev Ram, the six-time Grand Slam Champion and former World No. 1 in doubles, marking his first official public appearance following his retirement from professional tennis after a 22-year career. Bengaluru — the city of his family heritage — was Ram's chosen first destination after hanging up his racket, lending the evening a deeply personal significance.
A Homecoming Steeped in Emotion
The event drew prominent sports personalities, tennis enthusiasts, and members of Rajeev's immediate family, most notably his mother, Sushma Ram. Also in attendance were Zeeshan Ali, former Indian Davis Cup team member, captain, and current coach of the Indian team, and Prashant Sutar, President of the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association, underscoring the broad respect Ram commands across Indian tennis.
The formal felicitation was led by Maheshwar Rao, IAS, Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority and Secretary of KSLTA, alongside Sunil Yajaman, Joint Secretary of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Joint Secretary of KSLTA. Members of the KSLTA Executive Committee presented Ram with a special commemorative memento honouring his career.
What Officials Said
Speaking at the ceremony, Maheshwar Rao said, 'It is an absolute privilege for KSLTA to honour Rajeev Ram today. While he has proudly competed under the American flag, his phenomenal achievements resonate deeply here in Bengaluru, the home of his family heritage. To rise to World No. 1 and claim six Grand Slams requires unmatched discipline. By making Bengaluru his first destination after hanging up his racket, Rajeev has shown the immense respect he holds for his roots, inspiring every young athlete training on these very courts.'
Sunil Yajaman added, 'Rajeev Ram represents the absolute pinnacle of doubles tennis intelligence and longevity. His historic three-peat at the US Open and his multiple Olympic medals place him among the all-time greats of the modern era. KSLTA and the entire Indian tennis fraternity are incredibly proud of his journey, and having his mother, Sushma Ram, here with us makes this evening even more special.'
Rajeev Ram's Words on Bengaluru and Retirement
An emotional Rajeev Ram expressed his gratitude at the podium: 'Bengaluru has always held a sacred place in my heart because of my father, Raghav, and the heritage he passed down to me. Coming here as my very first stop after retiring feels completely right. Standing on these courts surrounded by family, including my mother, and the incredible team at KSLTA is a moment I will cherish forever. Tennis has given me a life beyond my wildest dreams, and I am deeply humbled by the warmth and honour Bengaluru has showered upon me today.'
Rajeev Ram's Career at a Glance
Ram's 22-year professional career saw him rise to the summit of doubles tennis, winning six Grand Slam titles, achieving the coveted World No. 1 doubles ranking, recording a three-peat at the US Open, and earning multiple Olympic medals. Though he represented the United States internationally, his Indian roots — particularly his family's long association with Bengaluru — remained a defining thread throughout his career. His retirement marks the end of one of the most decorated doubles careers of the modern era.
With this felicitation, KSLTA has signalled its intent to keep Ram's legacy alive as an inspiration for the next generation of Indian tennis talent.
Point of View
Yet the emotional gravity of his homecoming suggests that the Indian connection was never merely biographical. For KSLTA and AITA, the real question is whether this goodwill translates into structured mentorship or grassroots investment, or whether it remains a one-evening tribute. India has a long history of honouring its diaspora champions with felicitations that generate no lasting institutional dividend.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rajeev Ram and why is he significant to Indian tennis?
Rajeev Ram is a six-time Grand Slam Champion and former World No. 1 in doubles tennis who retired after a 22-year professional career. Though he competed under the American flag, his family heritage is rooted in Bengaluru, making him a figure of considerable pride for the Indian tennis community.
Why did Rajeev Ram choose Bengaluru as his first stop after retirement?
Ram chose Bengaluru because of the city's deep connection to his family heritage, particularly his late father Raghav. He described the city as holding 'a sacred place' in his heart, and said the decision to make it his first destination after retiring 'feels completely right.'
What did Rajeev Ram win during his professional career?
Ram won six Grand Slam titles in doubles and reached the World No. 1 doubles ranking during his 22-year career. He also recorded a three-peat at the US Open and earned multiple Olympic medals.
Who organised and attended the felicitation ceremony?
The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) organised the ceremony at SM Krishna Stadium. It was led by Maheshwar Rao, IAS, and Sunil Yajaman of AITA, and was attended by Ram's mother Sushma Ram, Indian Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali, and Maharashtra SLTAssociation President Prashant Sutar, among others.
What memento did KSLTA present to Rajeev Ram?
Members of the KSLTA Executive Committee presented Ram with a special commemorative memento celebrating his legendary 22-year professional tennis career.
