Seventeen-year-old Indian-American tennis player Ronit Karki captured attention at Wimbledon’s junior boys’ tournament, making an impressive run to the final. Although Karki fell short in the title match on Sunday, his performance over the past two weeks has marked him as one of the most promising young players on the circuit.
Karki faced Bulgaria’s Ivan Ivanov, the world No. 6 in the junior rankings, in the championship match. Ivanov, 16, defeated Karki in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Despite the loss, Karki’s journey to the final was filled with standout victories. Entering the tournament ranked No. 52, Karki toppled several higher-seeded players along the way, including world No. 9 Yannik Alexandrescou from Romania, No. 8 Jack Kennedy from the United States, No. 14 Alan Wazny of Poland, and No. 12 Alexander Vasilev from Bulgaria.
Before Wimbledon, Karki competed in the J300 tournament at Roehampton, where he reached the third round during his first experience on grass courts. He originally missed direct entry into the main Wimbledon draw by just one spot but embraced the qualifying rounds. Reflecting on the experience, Karki said, “Maybe playing qualifiers is the reason I made it this far. Everything happens for a reason, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Born in New Jersey, Karki currently trains in Florida. His connection to tennis runs deep within his family. His father, Trilok Karki, took up the sport during his time living in New York, inspiring both Ronit and his sister Naomi to follow in his footsteps. “My dad is the reason I play tennis,” Karki shared, acknowledging the family’s role in his journey.
Though he did not claim the Wimbledon junior title, Karki’s performances against top players suggest he is a rising star in American and international tennis. His resilience through qualifiers and strong showing on grass have set the stage for a promising career ahead.
