In the rich tapestry of Indian tennis, few stories are as iconic as that of Ramanathan and Ramesh Krishnan—the only Indian father-son duo to win the Wimbledon Boys’ Singles title, 25 years apart.
It all began in 1954 when a young Ramanathan Krishnan stunned the tennis world by clinching the junior title at Wimbledon, defeating Australia’s Ashley Cooper 6-2, 7-5. His victory marked a major milestone for Indian tennis and announced India’s arrival on the global stage.
Exactly a quarter of a century later, in 1979, his son Ramesh Krishnan followed in his father’s footsteps, capturing the same title and etching their names into the annals of tennis history. Their unique achievement remains one of the rarest feats in world tennis—a Wimbledon junior title won by both father and son.
Their excellence on court was matched by national recognition: Ramanathan Krishnan was conferred the Padma Shri in 1962 and later the Padma Bhushan in 1967. Ramesh Krishnan received the Padma Shri in 1998, further cementing their legacy as legends of Indian sport.
From the courts of Chennai to the grass courts of Wimbledon, the Krishnan family’s journey continues to inspire generations of Indian players with a legacy built on discipline, grace, and quiet excellence.
