A dramatic comeback in the final propelled Jensi Kanabar, Gujarat’s 14-year-old tennis whiz from Junagadh, to victory at the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy 2026 – the first for any Indian girl. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya showered praise via X.
Celebrating her Khelo India roots, he posted: ‘Junagadh to Melbourne, India’s glory unfolds.’ Jensi’s historic win over Australia’s Mussemma Seleck capped a tournament of sheer dominance.
Her matches were spectacles: 6-4, 6-2 over Nepal’s Shivli Gurung; 7-5, 6-4 against China’s Jinyu Zhou; a clinical 6-0, 6-1 rout of New Zealand’s Joselyn Park; and a semifinal triumph over Japan’s Aoi Yoshida.
In the decider, trailing 3-6 and 0-2, Jensi unleashed her fighting spirit, clinching 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. As AITA’s No. 1 in U-14 and U-16, her record speaks volumes of her readiness for the big leagues.
This milestone highlights India’s growing tennis infrastructure and the power of grassroots initiatives like Khelo India. Jensi’s journey from local courts to Melbourne’s spotlight motivates aspiring athletes, forecasting her as a cornerstone of India’s tennis future.