Bengaluru, Jan 3 (NationPress) The anticipation is palpable as the 10th Bengaluru Open gears up for a thrilling week of elite tennis, following the main draw ceremony on Saturday at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium. This ATP Challenger 125 tournament is set to kick off on Monday.

India's top player, Sumit Nagal, will commence his journey against fellow Indian talent SD Prajwal Dev, while the top seed, Pedro Martinez from Spain, will face a qualifier in his initial match. Notable players in the draw include second seed Harold Mayot, third seed Jay Clarke, and fourth seed Lloyd Harris, all of whom are positioned for challenging first-round encounters.

The tournament showcases a robust Indian representation with six players participating, underscoring its commitment to nurturing local talent at the international level. Besides Nagal and Prajwal Dev, the Indian lineup features Aryan Shah (India No. 2), Karan Singh (India No. 3), and wild card entrants Dhakshineswar Suresh and Manas Damne.

In their first-round matches, Suresh will compete against Croatia’s Duje Ajduković, while Damne faces the fifth seed Matej Dodig from Croatia. Aryan Shah will take on Beibit Zhukayev, and Karan Singh is set to battle Borna Gojo.

The qualifying rounds are scheduled to begin on January 4, with Ramkumar Ramanathan, Manish Suresh Kumar, Aditya Balsekar, and Adil Kalyanpur receiving qualifying wild cards, boosting Indian participation further.

Maheswar Rao, IAS, Honorary Secretary of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), remarked, “We are delighted to welcome players, officials, and spectators to the significant 10th edition of the Dafa News Bengaluru Open. With the ongoing support from the state government and senior officials, we have concentrated on enhancing player experiences, ensuring seamless operations and comfort.

“Over the years, this tournament has earned a strong reputation as a meticulously organized, player-centric ATP Challenger event. Our goal is not only to deliver high-quality competition but also to entice larger audiences, especially for evening matches under the lights. Being one of the inaugural ATP tournaments of the season with a total prize pool of $225,000, it is a privilege for Bengaluru to host such an event and showcase its world-class tennis infrastructure,” he added.

R. Chethan, IPS, Commissioner of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports in Karnataka, stated, “It is a remarkable achievement for KSLTA to host the 10th Bengaluru Open. I want to congratulate them and recognize their commitment to setting high standards for the sport over the years. It is a point of pride that the Bengaluru Open is now a prestigious ATP Challenger that serves as a launching pad for Indian players to kickstart their season successfully.”

Sunil Yajaman, Tournament Director at KSLTA, noted, “We welcome participants from 19 countries, including six Indians in the main draw. This event has significantly elevated Bengaluru’s status and its contributions to global tennis. We anticipate an exhilarating week ahead, especially with Bengaluru also set to host the Davis Cup tie between India and the Netherlands next month, further solidifying the city’s growing prominence on the international tennis stage.”

Reflecting on the draw, Karnataka’s S. D. Prajwal Dev expressed, “Competing in Bengaluru is special because it’s one of my home tournaments, but once I’m on the court, it’s all about execution and staying focused. I don't feel extra pressure from the home crowd. I believe I’ve trained well for this tournament, and I’m confident in my preparation, so my aim is to compete to the best of my ability.”

With a mix of established players, rising international stars, and robust Indian representation, the main draw of the Bengaluru Open 2026 promises a week of high-stakes tennis. The tournament will conclude with the semifinals on Friday (January 9) and the finals on Saturday (January 10).