Indian table tennis is witnessing an unprecedented surge in global prominence, and WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 is set to be another landmark event.
With 13 Indian paddlers earning direct qualification into the main draw—the highest-ever representation for India across all WTT Star Contender events held in the country—the tournament marks a defining moment for the sport.
As the competition kicks off on March 25, Chennai will host some of the world’s best, including Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto (World Rank 4) and Hina Hayata (World Rank 5), setting the stage for an electrifying showdown.
A Historic Indian Presence
The WTT Star Contender Chennai men’s and women’s singles main draw will feature a 48-player field, while the doubles main draw (men’s, women’s, and mixed) will follow a 16-pair format.
The tournament boasts a prize pool of $275,000 and offers 600 ranking points to the champions—an opportunity for Indian players to make a significant impact on the global rankings.
Women’s Singles: India’s Strongest Ever Representation
For the first time in a WTT Star Contender event held in India, four Indian women’s singles players have directly qualified for the main draw:
✅ Manika Batra (WR 28)
✅ Sreeja Akula (WR 29)
✅ Ayhika Mukherjee
✅ Yashaswini Ghorpade
With these players showcasing consistent performances on the international circuit, their participation reflects India’s growing dominance in women’s table tennis. Manika Batra, India’s highest-ranked women’s player, will be a key contender, while Sreeja Akula continues to impress with her rapid rise in global rankings.
Men’s Singles: Indian Paddlers Aim for Global Breakthrough
For the first time ever, four Indian players have earned direct entry into the men’s singles main draw at a Star Contender event in India:
✅ Sharath Kamal – The legend of Indian table tennis, still leading the charge.
✅ Manav Thakkar – A rising star, known for his aggressive playing style.
✅ Sathiyan Gnanasekaran – A seasoned international campaigner.
✅ Harmeet Desai – Key to India’s recent success at the Asian level.
With these four forming the core of India’s Asian Games and Asian Championships medal-winning teams, they will be eager to challenge some of the world’s best.
International Stars to Watch Out For
While India enjoys a record presence, the tournament will also witness some of the biggest names in world table tennis.
• Tomokazu Harimoto (WR 4, Japan) – Recently crowned WTT Star Contender Doha 2025 champion, Harimoto is one of the favorites for the title.
• Hugo Calderano (WR 6, Brazil) – A Paris 2024 Olympic semifinalist, known for his explosive playing style.
• Hina Hayata (WR 5, Japan) & Miwa Harimoto (WR 6, Japan) – Two of the four top-10 ranked players in the women’s singles event.
Their presence ensures that the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 will be one of the most competitive table tennis events hosted in India.
Doubles Challenge: India’s Strongest Pairings
Indian doubles teams will also be looking to make an impact:
✅ Men’s Doubles – Manav Thakkar & Manush Shah, India’s highest-ranked pair, will aim to continue their strong partnership.
✅ Women’s Doubles – Ayhika & Sutirtha Mukherjee, 2022 Asian Games bronze medalists, will look to repeat their success.
✅ Mixed Doubles – Manush Shah & Diya Chitale, along with Harmeet Desai & Yashaswini Ghorpade, will lead India’s challenge.
Rising Indian Table Tennis: A Defining Moment
Experts believe WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 represents a significant milestone for Indian table tennis.
Deepak Malik, Co-founder & COO of Stupa Sports Analytics, emphasized India’s rising global stature:
“Indian table tennis has reached a significant milestone with its strongest-ever presence in a WTT Star Contender main draw. From historic Olympic qualification to consistent international results, our players are making their mark globally.”
Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) co-promoter Vita Dani also highlighted the growth of Indian table tennis:
“Earning a place in a WTT event is never easy, and with a world-class field assembled, the challenge is immense. But our paddlers have continuously proven their mettle.”
With wild cards and qualifiers yet to be confirmed, India’s representation in the main draw could grow even further. The singles field will feature:
• 25 direct entries (based on ITTF rankings)
• 4 host wildcards
• 2 WTT nominations
• 1 WTT youth nomination
• 8 top-20 ranked players
• 8 qualifiers
Similarly, the doubles events will feature:
• 8 direct entries
• 2 onsite-formed pairs
• 2 host wildcards
• 4 qualifiers
Final Thoughts: Can India Make History?
With 13 Indian players earning direct qualification and many more expected to feature through wildcards and qualifiers, WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 is shaping up to be a milestone event for Indian table tennis. The combination of home advantage, rising talent, and a competitive global field makes this tournament a must-watch for fans.
Can Manika Batra, Sharath Kamal, and India’s top paddlers make history on home soil? All eyes will be on Chennai from March 25 as the Indian contingent looks to create yet another landmark moment in the country’s table tennis journey.
🔥 Indian Table Tennis on the Rise! 🔥
🇮🇳 A record-breaking 13 Indian paddlers have directly qualified for WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025!
🏓 Strongest-ever Indian presence at a WTT Star Contender event held in India!
💥 Global stars like Tomokazu Harimoto & Hina Hayata set to challenge India’s finest!
💰 $275,000 prize pool & 600 ranking points on the line!
📅 Tournament starts: March 25, 2025 – Let’s support Team India! 🚀
