New Delhi, Feb 12 (NationPress) S. D. Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha are set to spearhead the Indian effort as the top-ranked all-Indian pair in the main draw at the Delhi Open 2026, scheduled to take place at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi from February 16–22.

Australia’s Dane Sweeny and Japan’s Seita Watanabe will lead a strong doubles lineup for this ATP Challenger event, which showcases a compelling combination of seasoned doubles specialists and singles players doubling up, adding richness and excitement to the draw.

Sweeny and Watanabe come into the tournament as the top-ranked duo, boasting a combined team ranking of 265. Watanabe, positioned at 127 in doubles, teams up with Sweeny, who is 138 in singles, creating one of the most potent combinations in the competition.

Heading the Indian contingent will be S D Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha, the highest-ranked all-Indian pair in the main draw. Dev (ranked 219) and Sinha (ranked 243) aim to leverage their familiar home conditions as they face a well-seasoned international field.

The doubles draw further emphasizes the tournament’s depth, with five players engaging in both singles and doubles events — Jay Clarke (Great Britain), Sweeny (Australia), Michael Geerts (Belgium), Daniel Michalski (Poland), and Rio Noguchi (Japan).

Seven teams have achieved direct entry based on their doubles rankings, showcasing the presence of specialized pairs. Additionally, Sweeny, Clarke, and Michalski have gained entry into the doubles competition through their singles rankings, intensifying the competition.

Prior to the event, DLTA President Rohit Rajpal highlighted the increasing prominence of the Delhi Open within the Challenger circuit.

“The Delhi Open has carved out a reputation as one of the most competitive Challenger events in the region. It plays a vital role in connecting Indian talent with premier international competition, granting our players the privilege of competing at home while delivering world-class tennis for fans,” Rajpal stated.

He further underscored the significance of doubles in player development, stating: “The caliber of this year’s doubles field reflects the tournament’s escalating quality. The blend of specialist doubles players and singles competitors elevates the overall standard and exposes Indian players to various playing styles and tactical challenges at the Challenger level.”

The Delhi Open remains a pivotal event on the ATP Challenger Tour calendar, providing essential ranking points and competitive opportunities for both emerging and seasoned players alike.