Jay Meena Wins India's First Soft Tennis Medal

A Journey That Began Almost by Chance

Meena's journey in soft tennis began almost by chance. He was more interested in cricket and initially aspired to become a cricketer. After joining Pioneer Public School in Dewas, he came across a soft tennis court, where his curiosity first led him to watch the players and eventually start as a ball boy, an entry point into the sport that would eventually reshape his entire athletic career.

A Steady Rise Through the Ranks

Gradually, he began playing the sport and progressed from school and district competitions to the state and national levels. By the age of 14, he was already competing internationally in Japan, the home of soft tennis, an early and significant exposure to the sport's highest competitive standards.

Building a Strong National Record

Meena established himself among India's leading soft tennis players with a gold medal in men's singles at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022. He also contributed to Madhya Pradesh's medal-winning performances in the Men's Team and Doubles events, building a strong domestic record alongside his growing international experience.

Continued Success at the National Level

By 2025, he had further strengthened his credentials by becoming the National Champion in Men's Singles. His international breakthrough continued at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he reached the quarterfinals of the Men's Singles event and also represented India in the Men's Team event, marking his first significant international campaign at the Asian Games level.

A Historic World Championship Medal

In 2024, partnering Aadhya Tiwari, he created history by winning India's first-ever medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships, securing bronze in mixed doubles, adding a world championship milestone to his growing list of career firsts for Indian soft tennis.

A First for India at the Continental Level

He achieved another historic milestone at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships in 2025, becoming the first Indian to win a medal at the continental championships after reaching the men's singles semifinals and securing bronze, extending his string of pioneering achievements for the sport in India.

A Strong Overall Haul

He went on to win four medals at that continental event, reflecting a consistently strong overall performance across multiple categories rather than a single standout result.

A Third Asian Games Appearance

The TAGG (Target Asian Games Group) athlete is making his third Asian Games appearance, having previously represented India at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022, giving this latest bronze medal added significance as the culmination of a sustained, multi-edition Asian Games journey that has now finally yielded India's first medal in the sport.