Sonali Bendre has been named the co-owner of the Chennai Smashers in the Tennis Premier League (TPL). The announcement was made at an event held at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association in Colaba, where the Bollywood actress was introduced as a co-owner of the franchise alongside Dharmender Goel and Vipul Bansal.
The event was attended by TPL founders Kunal Thakkur and Mrunal Jain, as well as Manoj Vaidya, CEO of the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association, and Sanju Kothari from CCI. The occasion also included a special ceremony to honor the winners of the Race to Gold Masters tournament, which was held in Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Sonali Bendre expressed her excitement about her involvement with the Tennis Premier League (TPL) and the Chennai Smashers, sharing her long-standing passion for tennis. “I’ve always enjoyed watching tennis, and my love for the sport grew even more when my son started playing. I believe sports instill discipline in children, which is why I’m thrilled to partner with the TPL team to inspire kids to get active,” she said. Reflecting on her journey with the league, she revealed, “I’ve been part of TPL since its inception and have witnessed its incredible growth. Over the years, I knew I wanted to take a more active role, and that’s why I’m excited to co-own the Chennai Smashers.”
She also highlighted her deep connection to Chennai and the team’s potential. “Chennai holds a special place in my heart, with its legacy of iconic teams. I’m excited to bring that energy to the Smashers and, along with my partners and our amazing players, build a strong, supportive fan community.” With the upcoming season set for December at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, she added, “We are working hard to deliver an unforgettable experience for tennis fans across India.” Emphasizing her vision for the future, she concluded, “Owning the team isn’t just about business – it’s about sharing the love for tennis and creating meaningful experiences for the community.”
Co-owner of the franchise, Vipul Bansal of HI-Tech Pipes also spoke to the press and said, “The Tennis Premier League is doing an amazing job in promoting tennis as a sport in India. And especially with the effort Sonali and the whole team is putting in, I feel Tennis would be one of the next big things in India.”
Co-founder of the league, Kunal Thakkur, “A very warm welcome to Vipul, Sonali and Dharmender to the league. We have top players from the world who will be a part of the league this time and the tournament will be live not just in India but all over the world, so really excited for the new season!”
Co-owner of Chennai Smashers, Dharmender Goel also spoke during the proceedings and stated, “I am very excited for the TPL season coming ahead and with such efforts we can try to promote Tennis to a higher level. There is a long way to go but I see a bright future for Tennis in India.”
The 6th season of the Tennis Premier League will commence on December 3rd and will be live on Sports 18 and JioCinema. The tournament is set to take place in Mumbai from Dec 3rd to 8th at the Cricket Club of India ( CCI )
