Ramanathan Krishnan is one of the most important figures in the history of Indian tennis. During the 1950s and 1960s, he became one of the world’s leading amateur players and put Indian tennis on the international map. He reached the Wimbledon men’s singles semi-finals in 1960 and 1961, became the first Asian player to win the Wimbledon boys’ singles title in 1954, and represented India in the Davis Cup for more than 13 years.
He was also a recipient of the Arjuna Award (1961), Padma Shri (1962), and Padma Bhushan (1967). The official Padma Awards database lists his 1967 Padma Bhushan under Sports, Tamil Nadu.
1. Introduction
Ramanathan Krishnan is a legendary Indian tennis player who dominated Indian tennis during the 1950s and 1960s. Known for his elegant style, exceptional court craft, accurate placement and calm temperament, he became one of the highest-ranked Indian tennis players of his era.
His greatest Grand Slam achievement came at Wimbledon, where he reached the men’s singles semi-finals twice, in 1960 and 1961. He also won the Wimbledon boys’ singles championship in 1954, becoming the first Asian player to win that title.
Krishnan’s achievements helped introduce Indian tennis to a worldwide audience. His success also inspired later generations of Indian players, including his son Ramesh Krishnan.
2. Quick Facts
| Particular | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ramanathan Krishnan |
| Native Name | இராமநாதன் கிருஷ்ணன் |
| Date of Birth | 11 April 1937 |
| Place of Birth | Nagercoil, then Kingdom of Travancore, British India* |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Tennis player, coach |
| Field of Achievement | Tennis / Sports |
| Playing Hand | Right-handed |
| Playing Style | One-handed backhand |
| Active Career | From the early 1950s through the 1960s; sources vary on the exact retirement date |
| Major International Achievement | Wimbledon men’s singles semi-finalist, 1960 and 1961 |
| Wimbledon Junior Title | 1954 |
| Highest Historical Ranking | World No. 3 in Potter’s amateur rankings |
| Davis Cup | Indian team member for more than 13 years |
| Arjuna Award | 1961 |
| Padma Shri | 1962 |
| Padma Bhushan | 1967 |
*There is a minor discrepancy among secondary sources: the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association and several biographical sources give Nagercoil as his birthplace, while some reference works give Madras. For a blog, Nagercoil is the safer choice when citing the TNTA profile.
3. Award Information
Padma Bhushan – 1967
Ramanathan Krishnan received the Padma Bhushan in 1967 for his contribution to Indian sport.
The official Government of India’s Padma Awards database lists:
Shri Ramanathan Krishnan — Sports — Tamil Nadu
under the Padma Bhushan 1967 recipients.
Award Details
| Award Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Award Name | Padma Bhushan |
| Award Category | Civilian Award |
| Field | Sports |
| Award Year | 1967 |
| Recipient | Shri Ramanathan Krishnan |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Presented By | President of India |
| Ceremony Date | Exact date not established in the official source consulted |
| Official Record | Listed under Sports, Tamil Nadu |
The Padma Awards database does not provide a detailed individual citation explaining the award in the way some modern Padma records do. Therefore, it is better for a blog to say that the award recognised his outstanding contribution and achievements in tennis, rather than inventing a specific official citation.
Other major awards
Before receiving the Padma Bhushan, Krishnan had already received:
- Arjuna Award – 1961
- Padma Shri – 1962
- Padma Bhushan – 1967
Previous and Next Recipients
The Padma Bhushan is awarded to many individuals each year, so there is no single previous or next recipient.
In 1967, other Padma Bhushan recipients included Ali Akbar Khan, D. P. Kohli, Krishna Kanta Handique, Mihir Kumar Sen, Mulk Raj Anand, Ravi Shankar and Pupul Jayakar, among others.
4. Why Did Ramanathan Krishnan Receive the Padma Bhushan?
Ramanathan Krishnan received the Padma Bhushan in 1967 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian sport, particularly tennis.
By that time, he had already:
- Won the Wimbledon boys’ singles title in 1954.
- Reached the Wimbledon men’s singles semi-finals in 1960 and 1961.
- Established himself among the world’s leading amateur players.
- Represented India in the Davis Cup for more than 13 years.
- Defeated many of the leading international players of his generation.
His international success was especially important because Indian tennis was still developing as a global sport.
5. Early Life
Ramanathan Krishnan was born on 11 April 1937. Several tennis sources identify his birthplace as Nagercoil, then part of the Kingdom of Travancore.
He came from a family with a strong connection to tennis.
His father, T. K. Ramanathan, was an accomplished Indian tennis player and later became an influential coach. He was ranked highly at both regional and national levels and played a major role in developing his son’s technique.
Krishnan began learning tennis from his father at a very young age.
His childhood was not built around the sophisticated tennis infrastructure seen today. His father improvised training opportunities and encouraged him to play in local tournaments. This early discipline helped develop the technical style that later became his trademark.
6. Education
Ramanathan Krishnan attended school in South India and later became associated with Loyola College, Madras.
His association with Loyola College became particularly important in his teenage years. In 1951, when he was still a schoolboy, he was granted special permission to participate in the college’s Bertram tournament, which was normally restricted to college students. He won the tournament and immediately attracted attention in Madras tennis circles.
He later studied at Loyola College while continuing his tennis career. Contemporary and biographical sources identify him as a Loyola College student when he won the Wimbledon junior title in 1954.
7. Career Journey
Beginning as a Young Tennis Player
Krishnan’s talent became evident during his teenage years.
In 1951, he entered the Bertram tournament at Loyola College despite being a schoolboy. His victory against much older players established him as a major young tennis talent.
Wimbledon Junior Championship – 1954
One of the defining moments of his early career came in 1954.
Krishnan won the Wimbledon boys’ singles championship, defeating Australia’s Ashley Cooper in the final. The International Tennis Federation’s Wimbledon junior records list Krishnan as the 1954 boys’ singles champion.
This achievement made him the first Asian player to win the Wimbledon boys’ singles title.
Rise in International Tennis
During the late 1950s, Krishnan began defeating some of the strongest players in international tennis.
In 1959, he enjoyed a particularly successful season and won important tournaments, including the Queen’s Club Championships and the U.S. Hard Court Championships. He later recalled that his results that season helped place him around No. 3 in contemporary world rankings.
Wimbledon 1960
In 1960, Krishnan reached the Wimbledon men’s singles semi-finals.
He was seeded No. 7, making him the first Indian to receive such a high seeding at Wimbledon. He eventually lost in the semi-final to Australia’s Neale Fraser, who went on to win the championship.
Wimbledon 1961
Krishnan repeated the achievement in 1961, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second consecutive year.
He lost to Australian great Rod Laver, who eventually won the tournament.
These two Wimbledon semi-final appearances remain among the most significant achievements by an Indian men’s singles player at the tournament.
Davis Cup
Krishnan represented India in the Davis Cup for more than 13 years.
He was part of the Indian team that reached the 1966 Davis Cup Challenge Round, where India faced Australia in the final.
8. Major Achievements
1. Wimbledon Boys’ Singles Champion – 1954
Krishnan won the Wimbledon junior championship in 1954 and became the first Asian player to win the boys’ singles title.
2. Wimbledon Semi-Finalist – 1960
He reached the men’s singles semi-finals at Wimbledon in 1960.
3. Wimbledon Semi-Finalist – 1961
He repeated his semi-final performance in 1961.
4. World-Class Ranking
Krishnan reached as high as World No. 3 in Potter’s contemporary amateur rankings.
5. French Open Quarter-Final – 1962
He reached the quarter-finals of the French Open in 1962.
6. Davis Cup Final – 1966
He helped India reach the 1966 Davis Cup Challenge Round against Australia.
7. Multiple International Titles
Krishnan won major international tournaments, including the Queen’s Club Championships and U.S. Hard Court Championships in 1959, Antwerp in 1963 and 1967, River Oaks in 1965 and the Canadian Open in 1968.
8. National Champion
He won the Indian national singles championship multiple times, including titles in 1955, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964 and 1965.
9. Contribution to the Nation
Ramanathan Krishnan’s contribution to India went far beyond the trophies he won.
Putting India on the International Tennis Map
During an era when India was not considered a major tennis nation, Krishnan regularly competed against and defeated leading players from Europe, Australia and the United States.
His success brought international attention to Indian tennis.
Inspiring Young Players
His achievements showed young Indians that an Indian tennis player could compete successfully at the world’s biggest tournaments.
His influence was particularly visible in his own family. His son Ramesh Krishnan later became an internationally successful tennis player and won the Wimbledon and French Open junior titles in 1979.
Representing India
Krishnan valued representing India in the Davis Cup and chose to remain eligible for the amateur circuit rather than join the professional tour during the early 1960s. He later recalled that representing India at Wimbledon and the Davis Cup was more important to him than the financial opportunities available on the professional circuit.
10. Other Awards and Honours
Arjuna Award – 1961
Krishnan received the Arjuna Award in 1961, one of India’s major sports honours.
Padma Shri – 1962
He received the Padma Shri in 1962 in the Sports category. The official Padma Awards database lists him among the 1962 Padma Shri recipients from Tamil Nadu.
Padma Bhushan – 1967
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1967, with the official record classifying him under Sports, Tamil Nadu.
These three honours reflect the progression of recognition he received from the Indian government as his international career developed.
11. Legacy and Influence
Ramanathan Krishnan’s legacy is one of skill, elegance, discipline and international achievement.
He played during an era when power tennis was becoming increasingly important, yet Krishnan relied heavily on touch, placement, timing, anticipation and court craft.
His style was widely admired for its smoothness and control. Contemporary recollections often describe him as a player who seemed to guide or caress the ball rather than overpower opponents.
His influence can be seen in several generations of Indian tennis.
His son Ramesh Krishnan followed him into international tennis and also won the Wimbledon junior championship.
Krishnan’s career therefore represents an important bridge between the early history of Indian tennis and the international successes of later Indian players.
12. Interesting Facts About Ramanathan Krishnan
- He was born on 11 April 1937.
- He learned tennis from his father, T. K. Ramanathan.
- His father was himself a highly regarded Indian tennis player and coach.
- Krishnan won the Wimbledon boys’ singles title in 1954.
- He was the first Asian player to win the Wimbledon boys’ singles championship.
- He reached the Wimbledon men’s singles semi-finals in 1960 and 1961.
- He was ranked as high as World No. 3 in contemporary amateur rankings.
- He was a member of India’s Davis Cup team for more than 13 years.
- He helped India reach the 1966 Davis Cup Challenge Round.
- He won the Arjuna Award in 1961.
- He received the Padma Shri in 1962.
- He received the Padma Bhushan in 1967.
- His son Ramesh also became a major international tennis player.
- Ramesh won both the Wimbledon and French Open junior singles titles in 1979.
- The Krishnan family has been associated with Indian tennis for several generations.
- Krishnan’s elegant style contrasted with the increasingly powerful style of tennis emerging during his era.
- He remained closely associated with tennis after his competitive career, including coaching and tennis development.
13. Quotes by Ramanathan Krishnan
One of Krishnan’s most revealing comments concerns his decision not to pursue the professional tour when it offered considerable financial opportunities:
“For me, I wanted the honour of playing for India in Davis Cup and Wimbledon.”
This quote provides an insight into his priorities as a sportsman. For Krishnan, representing India and competing at Wimbledon had a value that went beyond financial rewards.
Another memorable observation from Krishnan concerns the importance of his father:
“My father was a self-taught tennis player.”
Krishnan credited his father with teaching him the technical and mental aspects of tennis and described him as an exceptionally good coach.
Blog tip: Keep these quotations attributed to the original interview rather than presenting them as general motivational quotations.
14. Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Ramanathan Krishnan is born on 11 April. |
| Early 1940s | Begins learning tennis under his father, T. K. Ramanathan. |
| 1951 | As a schoolboy, wins the Loyola College Bertram/Stanley Cup tournament after receiving special permission to compete. |
| 1953 | Reaches the Wimbledon boys’ singles final. |
| 1954 | Wins the Wimbledon boys’ singles championship. |
| 1957 | Reaches the Northern Championships final. |
| 1959 | Enjoys a breakthrough international season and reaches the top level of contemporary world amateur tennis. |
| 1960 | Reaches Wimbledon men’s singles semi-final. |
| 1961 | Reaches Wimbledon men’s singles semi-final again; receives the Arjuna Award. |
| 1962 | Reaches French Open quarter-finals; receives the Padma Shri. |
| 1963 | Wins the Antwerp International title. |
| 1965 | Wins the River Oaks International Tennis Championships. |
| 1966 | Helps India reach the Davis Cup Challenge Round against Australia. |
| 1967 | Wins Antwerp International title and receives the Padma Bhushan. |
| 1968 | Wins the Canadian Open. |
| Later years | Continues contributing to Indian tennis and coaching. |
The tournament milestones are supported by tennis records and contemporary/retrospective accounts.
15. References
For your blog, I recommend prioritising the following sources:
Government of India – Padma Awards
The official Padma Awards database confirms Krishnan’s Padma Bhushan (1967) and Padma Shri (1962).
Official Padma Awards database
ATP Tour
The ATP profile records his long Davis Cup career, Wimbledon semi-finals, French Open quarter-final and doubles performances.
ATP Tour – Ramanathan Krishnan profile
International Tennis Federation
The ITF Wimbledon junior records confirm Krishnan as the 1954 boys’ singles champion.
ITF Wimbledon Junior Championships records
Tamil Nadu Tennis Association
The TNTA profile provides his date of birth, tennis career information, awards and Indian championship record.
Tamil Nadu Tennis Association – Ramanathan Krishnan
Indian Express
The Indian Express published a detailed retrospective in which Krishnan discussed his historic 1960 Wimbledon run in his own words.
16. Related Personalities
Ramesh Krishnan
Ramanathan’s son, Ramesh Krishnan, followed in his father’s footsteps. He won both the Wimbledon and French Open junior singles titles in 1979 and later became a leading Indian professional.
T. K. Ramanathan
Ramanathan’s father was a talented tennis player and coach who played a fundamental role in his son’s development.
Vijay Amritraj
Vijay Amritraj became one of India’s most prominent tennis players in the generation following Ramanathan Krishnan.
Rod Laver
The Australian legend defeated Krishnan in the 1961 Wimbledon semi-final.
Neale Fraser
The Australian defeated Krishnan in the 1960 Wimbledon semi-final and subsequently won the championship.
Roy Emerson
Emerson was one of the leading Australian players of Krishnan’s generation and a major figure in the international tennis scene of the 1950s and 1960s.
17. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Ramanathan Krishnan?
Ramanathan Krishnan is a legendary former Indian tennis player who was among the world’s leading players during the 1950s and 1960s.
When was Ramanathan Krishnan born?
He was born on 11 April 1937.
Where was Ramanathan Krishnan born?
The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association and several biographical sources identify his birthplace as Nagercoil, then part of the Kingdom of Travancore. Some reference works instead give Madras, so this is a detail where sources differ.
Which sport did Ramanathan Krishnan play?
He played tennis.
What is Ramanathan Krishnan famous for?
He is best known for reaching the Wimbledon men’s singles semi-finals in 1960 and 1961 and winning the Wimbledon boys’ singles championship in 1954.
Did Ramanathan Krishnan win Wimbledon?
He won the Wimbledon boys’ singles title in 1954, but he never won the men’s singles championship. He reached the men’s singles semi-finals twice, in 1960 and 1961.
Who defeated Ramanathan Krishnan in the 1960 Wimbledon semi-final?
Australia’s Neale Fraser defeated him in the 1960 semi-final and went on to win the championship.
Who defeated him in the 1961 Wimbledon semi-final?
Rod Laver defeated Krishnan in the 1961 Wimbledon semi-final and went on to win the tournament.
What was Ramanathan Krishnan’s highest ranking?
He reached as high as World No. 3 in Potter’s contemporary amateur rankings.
When did Ramanathan Krishnan receive the Arjuna Award?
He received the Arjuna Award in 1961.
When did he receive the Padma Shri?
He received the Padma Shri in 1962 in the Sports category.
When did Ramanathan Krishnan receive the Padma Bhushan?
He received the Padma Bhushan in 1967. The official Padma Awards database classifies him under Sports, Tamil Nadu.
How long did Ramanathan Krishnan play Davis Cup tennis for India?
The ATP profile states that he was a member of India’s Davis Cup team for more than 13 years.
Did Ramanathan Krishnan have a famous tennis-playing son?
Yes. His son Ramesh Krishnan became a highly successful tennis player and won the Wimbledon and French Open junior singles titles in 1979.
Who trained Ramanathan Krishnan?
His father, T. K. Ramanathan, played a major role in training and coaching him during his youth.
What was Ramanathan Krishnan’s playing style?
He was renowned for his touch, placement, court craft, timing and elegant technique, rather than relying primarily on power.
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