Did Dhakshineswar Suresh Receive a Wild Card for Bengaluru Open 2026?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dhakshineswar Suresh receives a wild card for the Bengaluru Open 2026.
- He is recognized for his powerful serve and aggressive playing style.
- His recent success includes a victory in the Davis Cup against Switzerland.
- The Bengaluru Open is an ATP Challenger 125 event with a prize pool of over USD 225,000.
- Organized by KSLTA, the tournament supports the growth of Indian tennis.
Bengaluru, Dec 25 (NationPress) Dhakshineswar Suresh, a rising star in Indian tennis, has been awarded a wild card entry into the singles main draw for the Bengaluru Open’s significant 10th edition, which will be held at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru from January 5 to 11, 2026.
Dhakshineswar has progressively made his mark in the professional circuit, earning recognition from tennis enthusiasts for his formidable serve and dynamic playing style. Standing at 6’5” and at the age of 25, he was part of India’s Davis Cup World Group I squad in 2024. He made an impressive debut in September 2025 against Switzerland, where he triumphed over the higher-ranked Swiss player, Jérome Kym, with scores of 7–6(4), 6–3. This victory was pivotal in securing an early advantage for India, ultimately leading to their historic 3–1 win on Swiss ground.
On this milestone, Dhakshineswar expressed, “I am incredibly proud to compete at the Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger, especially in front of my home supporters. This tournament has consistently provided Indian athletes with a top-tier platform to challenge themselves against elite international competitors, thanks to the remarkable efforts of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association. I’m thankful for this opportunity and the encouragement, and I aim to give my utmost on the court. I look forward to seeing the Bengaluru crowd cheering for me.”
The Bengaluru Open returns this year as an ATP Challenger 125 event, featuring a total prize pool exceeding USD 225,000 and awarding 125 ATP ranking points to the singles champion. Wild card holder Dhakshineswar is in a favorable position, having reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 519 in 2025 and displaying commendable results on both the ITF and ATP Challenger tours. His background in U.S. college tennis, where he represented notable programs at Wake Forest University and Georgia Gwinnett College, will also serve him well.
“We are thrilled to grant a wild card entry into the singles main draw of the Bengaluru Open to Dhakshineshwar Suresh. He has demonstrated considerable potential and achievements on the tour in the limited events he has participated in, and was key to India’s victory in the Davis Cup against Switzerland.
“This opportunity signifies our dedication to nurturing emerging talent and enhancing the Indian presence at this ATP Challenger event. We anticipate a strong performance from him. We wish Dhakshineshwar Suresh the very best in this competition and hope this aids him in making the necessary progress in his career,” stated Sunil Yajaman, Tournament Director and Joint Secretary, KSLTA.
Organized by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), the Bengaluru Open continues to support and develop India’s tennis ecosystem. Over the years, the tournament has provided Indian players with crucial exposure to elite international competition right at home. In this edition, Dhakshineswar will have the opportunity to display his skills on a grand stage, alongside fellow Indian athletes Sumit Nagal and Aryan Shah.