World Tennis League to return in December with India debut featuring Rybakina, Kyrgios, Medvedev, Badosa and Monfils

The World Tennis League is set to return next month with the details finally set for the traditional December exhibition which will take place in the lead up to Christmas between December 17-20, 2025 with a big change this year.

Taking place in Bengaluru, the four-day tournament will take place at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium with a move from the usual home of the UAE for this year as Kites will take on Hawks again.

This edition of the WTL will see some familiar faces to the format as Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios, Elena Rybakina, Paula Badosa, Rohan Bopanna, Gael Monfils, Arthur Fils, Sumit Nagal, Magda Linette and Marta Kostyuk have signed up.

The WTL have also added the likes of Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Maaya Revathi, Dhakshineswar Suresh and Shivika Burman to the tournament so that the local players also get an opportunity to be involved in the teams event. It will miss the likes of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva who are staples of this tournament in recent years.

Swiatek and Andreeva though will compete elsewhere during this week as the Pole plays in Shenzhen while Andreeva will head to Macau for the event just after Christmas which features Conchita Martinez, her coach as the captain. So it makes sense as to why both would not play the tournament again this year.

As per MyKhel, Elena Rybakina said about playing in India for the first time: "I've heard so much about the tennis culture in India and I'm thrilled to make my debut here with WTL. The league has an exciting format and I'm ready to enjoy every moment on the court with my team."

While 12-time Grand Slam champion and co-founder, Mahesh Bhupathi who has been instrumental in bringing the tournament to India said: "India has always shared a deep and lasting connection with tennis and the WTL's arrival here is an opportunity to strengthen that bond. As someone who has lived the sport, I believe this format brings out the fast, dynamic, and engaging side of the competition. With international champions sharing the court with India's top talent, we hope to inspire the next generation of players and showcase tennis as a sport that is intense, global and full of possibility."