Aichi-Nagoya, 23 September (H.S.): Indian soft tennis player Jay Meena created history at the Asian Games by reaching the men’s singles semifinals, thereby securing India’s first-ever medal in soft tennis at the Asian Games.

Jay defeated the Philippines’ Sherwin Ray Nuguit 4-3 in a thrilling quarterfinal on Wednesday. In a fiercely contested encounter that witnessed several momentum shifts, Jay prevailed 0-4, 4-2, 2-4, 5-3, 2-4, 7-5. By reaching the semifinals, Jay has guaranteed himself a medal, as all four semifinalists are assured of a podium finish.

Jay will now set his sights on the semifinals, where victory would take him into the gold-medal match. His impressive campaign in Aichi-Nagoya has already become a landmark achievement for Indian soft tennis.

Jay’s association with soft tennis began almost by chance. As a child, he was passionate about cricket and aspired to become a cricketer. While studying at Pioneer Public School in Dewas, he saw a soft tennis court for the first time. Initially, he began by watching the players and assisting as a ball boy, but gradually took up the sport himself. Progressing from school and district-level competitions, he established himself at the state and national levels. At just 14, he represented India internationally in Japan, the traditional powerhouse of soft tennis.

Jay strengthened his position among India’s leading soft tennis players by winning the men’s singles gold medal at the 36th National Games held in Gujarat in 2022. He also contributed to Madhya Pradesh’s medal-winning teams in the men’s team and doubles events. In 2025, he became the national champion in men’s singles.

At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Jay reached the men’s singles quarterfinals and also represented India in the men’s team event. In 2024, partnering with Aadhya Tiwari, he won the mixed doubles bronze medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships, securing India’s first-ever medal in the competition.

At the 2025 Asian Soft Tennis Championships, Jay became the first Indian to win a men’s singles bronze medal after reaching the semifinals. He won a total of four medals at the championships. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games mark his third appearance at the continental event. He previously represented India at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022.

Jay’s list of achievements includes a mixed doubles bronze medal at the 2024 World Soft Tennis Championships and bronze medals in men’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s team and mixed team events at the 2025 Asian Soft Tennis Championships. He also won a men’s singles bronze at the 2026 Sunchang Open and a mixed doubles bronze at the 2024 Korea Cup.

In addition, Jay has won gold medals in men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles at the inaugural South Asian Soft Tennis Championships. He also claimed gold medals in men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles at the second India International Soft Tennis Championship.

From a school court in Dewas to the international stage, Jay Meena’s journey has now reached a historic milestone. Securing India’s first-ever soft tennis medal at the Asian Games marks another significant achievement in his career.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar