Three Indian Players, Coach Represent Asia in Prestigious GSPDP/WT/ATF 14&U Team to Europe Programme

Three of India’s brightest young tennis talents — Puneet Manohar, Srishti Kiran and Padmapriya R. Kumar — have earned selection to the prestigious Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP)/World Tennis (WT)/Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) 14&U Team to Europe 2026, while Radhika Kanitkar has been selected as one of the team’s coaches.

The month-long junior tennis development programme, which started on 9 July and runs until 8 August 2026, is one of the most prestigious opportunities available to Asia’s leading Under-14 players. 

The initiative provides selected juniors with the opportunity to train and compete as one team against some of Europe’s strongest age-group players while gaining invaluable international exposure.

Selection based on merit

Selection to the GSPDP/WT/ATF Team to Europe is based on performances throughout the season and the ATF Under-14 Rankings. Only the highest-performing and most promising players from across Asia are chosen, making the programme a significant milestone in the development pathway of junior players. Formerly, India’s hot favourite junior tennis player Arnav Paparkar has also been part of this team earlier in his junior career.

India’s representation this year reflects the consistent performances of Puneet Manohar, Srishti Kiran and Padmapriya R. Kumar, who have earned their places among Asia’s elite Under-14 players. Joining them is Radhika Kanitkar, whose appointment as one of the team’s coaches is a recognition of her coaching expertise and contribution to junior player development.

Four weeks of Elite Competition in Europe

The programme began with the team’s arrival in Paris, France, on 9 July, followed by a three-day training camp from 10-12 July to help players acclimatise to European playing conditions.

The squad is competing in four prestigious junior tournaments across three European nations:

• Open Stade Français, Paris (France): 13-18 July
• Tennis Europe U14 d’Annecy (France): 20-25 July
• International German U14 Championships, Düren (Germany): 27 July-1 August
• Young Championship Cup, Wilrijk (Belgium): 3-8 August

Throughout the tour, the Indian players will train alongside Asia’s best juniors, compete against leading European talent, adapt to different court conditions and playing styles, and gain first-hand experience of the demands of international junior competition.

A valuable development opportunity

The programme is designed to accelerate the development of promising young players by exposing them to high-level competition, structured training environments and life on an international tour. 

The experience equips players with the technical, tactical and mental skills required for progression to higher levels of junior tennis, including the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors and, eventually, the professional circuit.

The All India Tennis Association congratulates Puneet Manohar, Srishti Kiran, Padmapriya R. Kumar and coach Radhika Kanitkar on this significant achievement and wishes them continued success as they represent both India and Asia during the prestigious European development tour.

Courtesy: Asian Tennis Federation (ATF)