The Indian professional tennis circuit moves swiftly from the hills of Bengaluru to the humid coast of Chennai as the ITF M25 International Tennis Tournament gets underway at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam, from January 12 to 18.
Coming on the heels of the ATP Challenger 125 Bengaluru Open, the Chennai M25 represents a vital rung in the development ladder for Indian players striving to establish themselves on the global tour.
With players from 14 countries set to compete, the tournament underlines Chennai’s enduring relevance on the international tennis map. Nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Japan, Finland, Tunisia, Malaysia, Korea, Indonesia, France, Kazakhstan, Romania, and Uzbekistan will be represented, alongside a strong Indian contingent eager to capitalize on home conditions.
At the top of the acceptance list, Dutchman Max Houkes, ranked 247 in the world, leads the foreign challenge and will start as the top seed in the 32-player singles main draw. Known for his solid baseline game and consistency, Houkes arrives in Chennai as one of the clear favorites. He will be followed closely by second seed Ilia Simakin, who brings a grinding, physically demanding style well suited to longer rallies a key factor in Chennai’s sea-level, high-humidity conditions.
For Indian tennis, however, the spotlight remains firmly on the homegrown names. Karan Singh will spearhead the Indian challenge, seeded fifth in the draw. At 22, Singh sits at an important crossroads in his career. A former Davis Cup representative, he has shown the ability to trouble higher-ranked opponents but is now looking for consistency at the $25,000 level. Chennai presents an ideal opportunity familiar courts, strong crowd support, and conditions that reward patience and point construction over raw power.
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Joining him in the main draw is Manas Dhamne, whose rise has been one of the most encouraging stories in Indian tennis over the past year. The 18-year-old enters the tournament with growing confidence after his breakthrough run to the quarterfinals at the Bengaluru Challenger. That performance marked his first Challenger-level last-eight appearance and signaled his readiness to compete beyond the junior ranks. In Chennai, where the slower courts and heavy air place a premium on movement and rally tolerance, Dhamne’s improved fitness and baseline solidity will be tested again.
Also in the main draw is SD Prajwal Dev, a familiar name on the Indian circuit. While best known for his doubles success, Prajwal continues to invest in his singles game, and the M25 level remains a key platform for him to collect ranking points and build match rhythm. His experience could prove valuable in a draw that blends youth with seasoned international professionals.
Former national champion Manish Suresh Kumar brings local flavor and experience to the field. Having trained extensively in Chennai, he knows the SDAT courts better than most and has historically drawn energy from the home crowd. For Manish, the tournament is not just about results but about reaffirming his place in a rapidly evolving Indian tennis ecosystem that is increasingly driven by younger players.
Sidharth Rawat rounds out the Indian presence in the main draw. A veteran on the ITF circuit, Rawat’s steady game and match awareness often make him a tricky opponent, particularly in demanding physical conditions like Chennai’s. His role in the draw adds balance, ensuring that Indian representation spans both youth and experience.
Beyond individual names, the Chennai M25 holds broader significance for Indian tennis. ITF M25 events offer 25 ATP ranking points to the champion modest in isolation, but crucial for players ranked outside the top 300 who are attempting to break into Challenger-level main draws. For many Indians, success at home events like Chennai can determine the trajectory of an entire season.
The venue itself adds another layer of importance. The SDAT Tennis Stadium has long been considered the heartbeat of Indian professional tennis, having hosted the ATP Chennai Open for over two decades. Playing here carries both inspiration and expectation, especially for young players who grew up watching international stars compete on the same courts.
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With the Indian tennis calendar tightly packed early in the year, performances in Chennai will also influence confidence heading into subsequent ITF and Challenger events across the country. For Dhamne, it is a chance to prove that his Bengaluru run was no one-off. For Karan Singh, it is about asserting himself as a leader of the current crop. For the others, it is an opportunity to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive domestic landscape.
As the first balls are struck on January 12, the Chennai M25 will once again serve its familiar role, not merely crowning a champion but quietly shaping the next phase of Indian professional tennis.
