NEW DELHI, August 4, 2026 — In a major push to overhaul junior tennis development, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) today launched ACE 2032 (AITA Champions Excellence), a landmark ₹2 crore high-performance initiative aimed at creating a structured, transparent, and athlete-centric pathway for India’s emerging players.
Rolled out in partnership with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the ACTC 2026–27 (ANSF scheme) through the TOPS Division, ACE 2032 focuses on identifying, nurturing, and supporting talent aged 12 to 18 years. The program is designed to build a sustainable pipeline of players capable of representing India successfully at Grand Slams, the Olympic Games, Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and the Asian Games.
Strategic Roadmap & Key Features
Initiated by the AITA Junior Selection Committee and approved by the Executive Committee, the initiative will be led by former international player and coach Shri S. Narendranath, who heads the newly formed Junior Selection and Development Team.
As part of the roadmap, AITA will implement several core features:
- National High-Performance Camps: Regular specialized training camps to upgrade technical and tactical skills.
- Travelling National Coaches: Deployment of dedicated coaches for continuous on-tour mentoring and evaluation.
- Transparent Selection: Establishment of objective, merit-based, and legally vetted selection criteria for national representation.
- Sports Science & Welfare: Integration of modern sports science, nutrition, injury management, and athlete welfare services.
- Scholarships & International Exposure: Direct financial assistance, scholarships, and opportunities to compete abroad.
Digital Innovation Ahead of Independence Day
To support player development and ensure transparency, AITA announced the upcoming launch of its new digital platform on August 15, 2026. The digital suite will automate tournament management, integrate the International Tennis Federation’s World Tennis Number (WTN) system, provide digital performance monitoring, and publicly outline all selection criteria and development policies.
Leadership Speak
“India has tremendous tennis talent. ACE 2032 provides a clear and structured pathway to identify, develop and prepare our best young players for success at the highest level of international tennis. This is an investment in the future of Indian tennis.”
— Chintan Parikh, President, AITA
“The programme reflects the Association’s commitment to creating a modern and transparent player development system. ACE 2032 is more than a development programme—it is a long-term commitment to Indian tennis. Our objective is to create an ecosystem where talent is identified early, developed scientifically, and supported through transparent, merit-based opportunities.”
— Sunder Iyer, Hon. Secretary General, AITA
AITA stated that specific implementations—including coaching appointments, camp schedules, and scholarship announcements—will be rolled out in phases over the coming months.