Jay Meena’s journey to India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis began not with a racket in his hand, but with an interest in cricket.The 14-year-old who once dreamed of becoming a cricketer has now become a history-maker, securing a bronze medal after reaching the men’s singles semifinals at the Asian Games here on Wednesday. Meena’s campaign ended in the semifinals, where he went down 2-4 to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka. The Indian lost the first three sets before mounting a spirited comeback to win the fourth and fifth sets and reduce the deficit to 2-3. However, Kurosaka won the sixth set 4-1 to seal the contest.For Meena, the path to this moment started almost by chance.After joining Pioneer Public School in Dewas, he came across a soft tennis court. Initially curious about the unfamiliar sport, he began by watching the players before helping out as a ball boy. It was only gradually that he started playing himself.What began as curiosity soon turned into a serious sporting pursuit. Meena moved through school and district competitions before progressing to the state and national levels. By the age of 14, he was already competing internationally in Japan, the home of soft tennis.
From cricket dream to soft tennis breakthrough
Meena established himself as one of India’s leading soft tennis players when he won the men’s singles gold medal 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.His progress continued in 2025 when he became the National Champion in men’s singles.At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Meena reached the quarterfinals of the men’s singles event and also represented India in the men’s team competition.
Nagoya: India�s Aadhya Tiwari and Jay Meena compete in the mixed doubles group B soft tennis match in the ongoing 20th Asian Games, at Higashiyama Park Tennis Center , in Nagoya, Japan. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)(PTI09_21_2026_000029B)
His international breakthrough, however, came in 2024.Partnering Aadhya Tiwari, Meena won bronze in mixed doubles at the World Soft Tennis Championships, creating history as part of India’s first-ever medal-winning pair at the event.
More history before Asian Games breakthrough
Meena added another landmark achievement at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships in 2025.He became the first Indian to win a medal at the continental championships after reaching the men’s singles semifinals and securing bronze. He went on to win a total of four medals at the continental event.Now, at the Asian Games, Meena has added another historic chapter to his career.His quarterfinal victory on Wednesday assured India of its first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis, with Meena guaranteed at least a bronze.The achievement comes during his third Asian Games appearance. A TAGG (Target Asian Games Group) athlete, Meena had previously represented India at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022.His preparations for the latest phase of his international career included stints at National Coaching Camps in Ahmedabad and Jammu, where he trained towards the Asian Championship and Asian Games respectively.From watching soft tennis players at a school court in Dewas to becoming an international medallist and now securing India’s first Asian Games medal in the sport, Meena’s journey has taken him far beyond the cricketing dream with which it began.
