Vaidehee Chaudhari, India's No. 3-ranked women's player and a two-time champion, and defending men's title-holder Manish Sureshkumar will spearhead a high-quality draw at the 31st Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship, scheduled from 5 to 17 October 2026 at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi. A total of eight players ranked in the AITA national top 15 have confirmed their participation, making this one of the stronger domestic fields in recent editions of the tournament.

Title Chasers in the Women's Draw

Chaudhari arrives at the DLTA Complex chasing a third women's singles crown, having lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2024. Her most immediate challenger could be Shruti Ahlawat, ranked seventh nationally, who claimed her maiden ITF $15,000 title at the very same venue in May 2026, defeating Poland's Zuzanna Kolonus in the final. Also in the mix are Sonal Paygonda Patil (IR 9) and Akanksha Nitture (IR 10), as per the last updated AITA ranking list dated 27 July 2026. Four of the top-10 nationally ranked women's players are set to compete.

Men's Field Led by Defending Champion Sureshkumar

Sureshkumar returns to defend the men's singles title he won at the 2025 edition. He will face stiff competition from a field that includes Nitin Kumar Sinha (IR 10), Aditya Balsekar (IR 11), and Udit Kamboj (IR 13). The presence of four national top-15 men's players reflects the growing competitive depth of the domestic circuit.

Junior Talent on Show

The junior draws promise a look at India's next generation of players. Delhi's Praneel Sharma, Karnataka's Prakaash Sarran, Gujarat's Om Patel, and Haryana's Harsh Malik will contest the boys' events. In the girls' draw, Tamil Nadu's Savitha Bhubaneshwaran, Maharashtra's Parthsarthi Mundhe and Swanika Roy, and Karnataka's Shreeniti Chowdhury are among the names to watch.

Tournament Format and Schedule

A total of 324 matches are scheduled across the championship. The Under-18 Boys' and Girls' events open proceedings, with qualifying rounds on 3–4 October, main rounds beginning 8 October, and finals on 10 October. The Under-16 and Under-14 events follow, with qualifying on 10–11 October, main rounds from 12 October, quarter-finals on 15 October, semi-finals on 16 October, and finals on 17 October.

What the Organisers Said

Ajay S Shriram, Chairman and Senior Managing Director of DCM Shriram Ltd, and Vikram Shriram, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, issued a joint statement ahead of the event. 'For over three decades, the Fenesta Open has supported Indian tennis at the grassroots, providing a strong competitive platform that challenges players and tests their abilities against talent from across the country,' they said. 'As we enter the 31st edition, our focus remains on raising the standard of competition and giving emerging players the experience they need to progress to higher levels of the sport.'

Now in its fourth decade of existence, the Fenesta Open has served as a stepping stone for several players who have gone on to represent India internationally. With a packed schedule and marquee names confirmed, the 2026 edition is set to be keenly watched by selectors and tennis followers alike.