Vaidehee Chaudhari eyes third National Tennis title at 31st Championship
Synopsis
Two-time champion Vaidehee Chaudhari is back at the 31st National Tennis Championship at DLTA after a year on the sidelines with injury — and she's made her intentions clear. With wins in 2022 and 2024 already to her name, a third title would make her the tournament's standout player of the decade.
Key Takeaways
Vaidehee Chaudhari , champion in 2022 and 2024 , returns to the 31st National Tennis Championship after missing the 2025 edition due to injury.
Main draw action begins on Monday, 4 October 2026 , at the DLTA complex in New Delhi .
The women's field also features Shruthi Ahlawat , Sonal Patil , and Akanksha Nitture .
Defending men's champion Manish Sureshkumar leads the men's draw alongside Nitin Kumar Sinha , Aditya Balsekar , and Udit Kamboj .
Under-18 boys and girls events run concurrently; Under-16 and Under-14 qualifying begins 10–11 October .
Two-time champion Vaidehee Chaudhari has returned to the 31st National Tennis Championship at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) complex, New Delhi, with a clear goal: reclaim the title she missed defending last year due to injury. Main draw action gets underway on Monday, 4 October 2026, with Chaudhari heading a competitive women's field that also includes Shruthi Ahlawat, Sonal Patil, and Akanksha Nitture.
Chaudhari's return after injury absence
The former champion, who lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2024, was forced to sit out the 2025 edition due to injury — making this year's campaign a particularly significant one for her. 'I will focus on one match at a time. I won in 2022 and 2024, but last year I couldn't play because I was injured,' Chaudhari said ahead of her first-round match. 'I am happy to be back again here and I will do my best. And obviously, my eyes are on the winning trophy. So definitely, I will do my best.'
Her game plan at DLTA
With the main draw yet to be released at the time of her comments, Chaudhari said she is concentrating on her own preparation rather than potential opponents. 'I am working on all the parts of my game,' she added. 'Right now, I am just focusing on one match at a time because I don't know who I am playing against. When the draw will be out, we will see who my first opponent is. For now, I will focus on my game.'
Men's draw and defending champions
On the men's side, defending champion Manish Sureshkumar leads the field alongside Nitin Kumar Sinha, Aditya Balsekar, and Udit Kamboj. The depth across both draws signals a competitive week at DLTA.
Junior competitions and upcoming schedule
Alongside the senior events, the Boys and Girls Under-18 competitions run concurrently this week. The boys' draw features Delhi's Praneel Sharma, Karnataka's Prakaash Sarran, Gujarat's Om Patel, and Haryana's Harsh Malik. In the girls' section, Tamil Nadu's Savitha Bhubaneshwaran, Maharashtra's Parthsarthi Mundhe and Swanika Roy, and Karnataka's Shreeniti Chowdhury are among the prominent names. The Under-16 and Under-14 events follow, with qualifying rounds on 10–11 October and main draws beginning the week after.
Point of View
But it also underlines a broader issue in Indian tennis: the sport's domestic circuit lacks the visibility that would make her comeback a mainstream news moment. A player who has won the national title twice and is hunting a third deserves broader public profile. The injury-enforced gap year may, counterintuitively, sharpen her motivation — which, combined with her clear tactical awareness shown in her press comments, makes her the one to beat. Whether the wider ecosystem around domestic tennis can convert her achievements into growth for the sport is the question the tournament itself cannot answer.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vaidehee Chaudhari and why is she notable at the 2026 National Tennis Championship?
Vaidehee Chaudhari is a two-time National Tennis Championship winner, having claimed the title in 2022 and 2024. She returns to the 31st edition at DLTA, New Delhi, as one of the top contenders in the women's draw after missing the 2025 tournament due to injury.
Where and when is the 31st National Tennis Championship taking place?
The 31st National Tennis Championship is being held at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) complex in New Delhi. Main draw action began on Monday, 4 October 2026, with junior qualifying rounds scheduled for 10–11 October.
Who are the key players in the men's draw at the National Tennis Championship 2026?
Defending champion Manish Sureshkumar leads the men's draw, joined by Nitin Kumar Sinha, Aditya Balsekar, and Udit Kamboj among the notable entrants.
What junior events are being held alongside the senior National Tennis Championship?
Boys and Girls Under-18 competitions are running concurrently with the senior events this week. The Under-16 and Under-14 categories follow, with qualifying on 10–11 October and main rounds starting the week after.
Why did Vaidehee Chaudhari miss the 2025 National Tennis Championship?
Chaudhari missed the 2025 edition due to injury. She confirmed this ahead of her first-round match at the 2026 championship, saying she was 'injured' and unable to compete that year.
