India’s Arnav Paparkar created history by becoming the first Indian in 36 years to reach the boys’ singles quarter-finals at the Wimbledon Juniors 2026.

 

The 18-year-old Paparkar defeated Japan’s Ryo Tabata 6-2, 6-1 in just 52 minutes in the prequarter-finals. Earlier, he shocked world No. 3 Keaton Hance of the United States with a 6-2, 6-3 win after beating Great Britain’s Joshua Craze 6-2, 6-2 in the opening round. He has not dropped a set so far in the tournament. Paparkar will next face either Jordan Lee of the United States in the quarter-finals at 5 PM today.

 

Only three Indians have won the Wimbledon Juniors boys’ singles title: Ramanathan Krishnan in 1954, Ramesh Krishnan in 1979, and the last was Leander Paes in 1990. Paparkar will now aim to join that elite list.