Tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have officially filed their nominations for the All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections under the 'Players of Exceptional Merit' category. This move positions both stars to potentially secure representation in the General Body and Executive Committee, marking a significant step for player involvement in the sport's administration.

However, in a surprising turn, India's most decorated tennis player, Leander Paes, has not submitted his nomination for the elections slated for November 7. Paes, who was the only Tier-1 player among the 40-strong list,'s absence from the nomination roster effectively rules him out of the AITA presidential race. The Bengal Tennis Association (BTA), which Paes leads, had publicly endorsed him as their candidate for the AITA president's post.

To contest for the presidency, Paes would have needed to win in the 'Players of Exceptional Merit' elections, as he is currently ineligible to stand as a state representative. While Paes could still participate in the AITA elections on November 27 as a Bengal representative, the revised AITA constitution prevents him from contesting for the president's position. The rules stipulate that a candidate must have served at least one full term as an office-bearer in a state association to be eligible for a national federation post.

Rule 12(B) further clarifies that eligibility for president, secretary-general, or treasurer requires meeting one of three conditions: being a 'Players of Exceptional Merit' representative, having served a full term on the AITA Executive Committee, or having previously served as president, secretary-general, or treasurer of a state affiliated unit.

Mahesh Bhupathi emphasized the importance of player representation, telling PTI, "I believe every federation needs players who have played at the highest level and can help bring about change in the sport. What Gopi (Pullela Gopichand) has done in badminton is a great example. He played a crucial role in completely transforming the sport."

Alongside Bhupathi and Sania, six other former players have also filed nominations: Ankita Bhambri, current Davis Cup coach Ashutosh Singh, Gaurav Natekar, Janaki Krishnamurthy, Shalini Thakur Chawla, and current Billie Jean King Cup captain Vishal Uppal. For the Executive Committee, five candidates have filed: Bhupathi, Sania, Ankita, Janaki, and Uppal.

The revised AITA constitution provides for four representatives (two men and two women) from the 'Players of Exceptional Merit' category in the General Assembly and two representatives (one man and one woman) in the 15-member Executive Committee. This provision is part of a broader effort under new sports administration rules to ensure player participation in the governance of national sports federations. Bhupathi, a former world No. 1 in doubles, boasts multiple Grand Slam titles, making him one of India's most successful international tennis players. Sania Mirza, also a former world No. 1 in doubles, has six Grand Slam titles in women's and mixed doubles, solidifying her status as one of the nation's most iconic tennis figures.

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