Indian men’s doubles hopes dwindle as Balaji and Bollipalli bow out on Day 6

London, July 5, 2025 — Day 6 of Wimbledon 2025 brought a disappointing yet valiant end to the campaigns of N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bollipalli in the men’s doubles category. Despite displaying grit and determination against seeded opponents, both Indian players were ousted in the second round at the All England Club on Saturday.

Balaji and Reyes-Varela Test Fourth Seeds

Balaji, partnering with Mexican veteran Miguel Reyes-Varela, faced the formidable fourth-seeded duo of Marcel Granollers (Spain) and Horacio Zeballos (Argentina). The Indo-Mexican pair put up a spirited fight but eventually succumbed to a 4-6, 4-6 loss in a match that lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Their opponents, seasoned grass-court specialists, capitalized on key moments and served strongly under pressure. Despite some promising rallies and aggressive net play, Balaji and Reyes-Varela could not break through the defensive consistency of the seeded pair.

Bollipalli and Barrientos Go Down in a Tight Contest

Shortly after, Rithvik Bollipalli, teaming up with Colombian Nicolas Barrientos, took on the sixth seeds and home favourites Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski. The match was a closely contested affair, with the Indian-Colombian pair pushing the Britons to a tense second-set tiebreak.

After losing the first set 4-6, Bollipalli and Barrientos raised their game, forcing a tiebreaker in the second. However, they fell just short, going down 6-7 (9) in an intense 1 hour and 47-minute encounter.

The pair won applause for their composure under pressure and ability to match the tempo of their higher-ranked rivals for most of the match.

Bopanna, Tyagi Also Exit Early

Earlier in the tournament, veteran doubles star Rohan Bopanna exited in the first round, marking a challenging week for India in the doubles discipline at Wimbledon.

In the junior boys’ singles, rising Indian talent Krish Tyagi was handed a straight-sets defeat by the Czech Republic’s Jan Kumstat, losing 3-6, 3-6 in the first round. Tyagi struggled to settle into rhythm as the Czech youngster controlled the pace throughout the match.

India’s Challenge Still Alive with Bhambri

While the doubles exits mark a significant setback, India’s Wimbledon 2025 journey is not over yet. Yuki Bhambri remains the sole Indian contender in action, scheduled to play his second-round match later today. Fans will look to Bhambri to reignite the Indian campaign at the prestigious Grand Slam.

A Growing Presence Despite Early Exits

Though results haven’t favored Indian players this year at Wimbledon, the presence of multiple Indian names across the main draw and junior categories reflects a growing base of international competitors from the country.

Balaji and Bollipalli, in particular, have shown consistent improvement on the ATP circuit. Their ability to challenge top-seeded teams at Wimbledon only adds to their growing profile on the global doubles scene.

Looking Ahead: Focus Shifts to Hard Court Season

With Wimbledon winding down for Indian participants, the focus now shifts to the North American hard-court season, including the US Open Series beginning later this month. Players like Balaji, Bollipalli, and Bhambri will aim to build on their Grand Slam experience and push for deeper runs in upcoming events.