Kaustubh Singh's inspiring journey from PLAY n FIT'S court to the INDIAN NATIONAL TEAM
The journey of Kaustubh Singh is a cinematic story within the world of Indian sports. It is a narrative of a raw, untapped talent discovered by chance and polished to perfection by Mohammad Obaid at the Play n Fit Tennis Academy in Lucknow.
His rise to the AITA National No. 1 spot is not just a personal achievement but a milestone for the entire state of Uttar Pradesh.
The Genesis: An 8-Year-Old and a Borrowed Racquet
In a sport often dominated by those from affluent backgrounds who start training as toddlers, Kaustubh was a complete outsider.
- The Free Tennis Camp: At the age of 8, Kaustubh attended a free community tennis camp organized by the Play n Fit Tennis Academy. He had never played tennis before, had no knowledge of the rules.
Having never held a racquet before, Kaustubh Singh took his first swing using a racquet offered by Mohammad Obaid.
The Architect: Mohammad Obaid’s Vision
Coach Mohammad Obaid didn't just teach Kaustubh how to hit a ball; he built a champion from a "blank slate." Because Kaustubh had no prior experience, Obaid could instill a world-class, modern technique without having to correct any amateur habits.
At Play n Fit Tennis Academy, Obaid focused on turning Kaustubh into an aggressive baseliner. They spent years perfecting a high-velocity serve and a heavy, penetrating forehand—weapons that would eventually overwhelm opponents on the national stage.
Mental Toughness: Obaid instilled a "never-say-die" attitude, which was critical given that Kaustubh was often competing against players with much more "on-paper" experience.
The Historic Run: Vertical Ascent
The speed of Kaustubh’s rise under the Play n Fit banner is unprecedented in recent UP tennis history. His breakthrough in the All India Tennis Association (AITA) circuit was meteoric:
- The U-12 Foundation: He broke into the Top 150 nationally by late 2023, signaling his arrival as a serious contender.
- AITA Milestones: He has secured titles across several tiers, including National Series, Super Series, and Championship Series wins.
- Top Spot in UP: On 13 January, 2025, Kaustubh reached to Uttar Pradesh's No.1 ranking in Junior Tennis and became state's pride. https://nationalnewsvision.com/kaustubh-singh-of-lucknow-becomes-uttar-pradesh-number-1-player-in-tennis/
- The No.1 Spot: On August 11, 2025, Kaustubh reached the pinnacle, becoming the AITA National No. 1 in the Boys Under-14 category. He held the top spot for 7 consecutive weeks. https://www.instagram.com/p/DNyMo-jXiPk/?img_index=6&igsh=MWNzOHBhZ2dja2Y= https://youtube.com/shorts/DZcDvkImeCI?si=toB1_cOn90VYSG4T
- A Rare Feat: He is only the second player from Uttar Pradesh to reach this ranking since 2014, breaking a decade-long drought for the state.
- ???????? Representing the Nation: The Indian Team Selection
The pinnacle of his young career came in March 2025, when his consistent dominance on the AITA circuit earned him a call-up to the Indian U-14 National Team.
Selection for the national team is the dream of every young athlete. For Kaustubh, this meant representing the 'Tricolour' at the World Junior Tennis Competition held in Malaysia in April 2025. - National Heroics: His No. 1 status earned him a spot on the Indian National Team. Representing India in Malaysia, he famously defeated Pakistan’s Rashid Ali 6-0, 6-3, and Indonesia's Titouan Parrod by 6-4, 6-2 in Phillipines, contributing to a clean sweep for the country.
Current Standing and 2026 Goals
As of February 2026, Kaustubh has already successfully transitioned into the Under-16 circuit, where he is currently ranked No. 22 in India.
| AITA Boys U-14 | 1 | August 11, 2025 | https://aitatennis.com/management/upload/ranking/2025-08-11_BU-14.pdf
| AITA Boys U-16 | 22 | January 19, 2026 |
| AITA Boys U-12 | 117 | December 31, 2023 |
Today, Kaustubh Singh is an inspiration for every child at the Play N Fit Academy. Under Mohammad Obaid’s continued guidance, he is now setting his sights on the ITF Junior World Rankings to take the Lucknow flag to the global stage.
My serve is my greatest strength, but the academy is helping me evolve into a more complete player for the international stage." —Kaustubh Singh
Kaustubh has a really powerful serve, but we are now working towards greater on-court adaptability and sharpening his backhand for the international stage." — Coach Mohammad Obaid
