As Bengaluru readies itself to host the landmark 10th edition of the Bengaluru Open from January 5 to 10 at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium, Indian tennis will once again turn its focus to one of the country’s most significant professional tournaments.
Among the players eager to make an impression is 20-year-old Aryan Shah, one of India’s most promising young prospects, who is looking to begin the new season on a positive and confident note. Aryan arrived in Bengaluru from Ahmedabad, where he has been training in preparation for the year ahead. The transition to familiar surroundings has already brought a sense of comfort. “I just flew in last night from Ahmedabad. I just finished my first session here today, and it feels nice. I’ve played in Bengaluru a couple of times before, and I have some decent memories, so I’m excited for the tournament,” he said.
Those memories include a strong showing earlier this year at the SM Krishna Memorial Open, an ITF World Tennis Tour M25 event. Coming into that tournament on the back of a title win at the ITF M25 Ahmedabad Open, Aryan carried good momentum into Bengaluru and navigated the early rounds with composure and maturity. His run eventually came to an end against second seed Oliver Crawford, but the overall week stood out as one of his more consistent performances at the professional level.
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The year that followed was a mixed one in terms of results, but it also marked steady progress in Aryan’s career trajectory. He ended the season with a singles ranking of 402 and a doubles ranking of 379, establishing himself among the top Indian players on the circuit. Reflecting on his journey, Aryan remained measured and self-aware. “Since 2023, I’ve had some pretty good wins and have been constantly rising through my rankings. The last few months were rough, but there were a lot of positives to take from that year. I need to keep my head up, chin up. I’m currently number two in the country, and I’m happy with where I am,” he said.
Over the past two years, Aryan has developed into a dynamic all-court player, built around a dependable serve and solid baseline consistency. His game has translated into tangible success on the ITF circuit, with two Futures singles titles to his name, the M15 Kingston in 2024 and the M15 Ahmedabad in 2025 along with a doubles title at the M15 Kingston event in 2024. He has also had the opportunity to be part of the Indian Davis Cup setup, serving as a reserve player during the 2024 tie against Sweden, an experience that further exposed him to the demands of elite-level competition.
Despite the growing expectations, Aryan is approaching the Bengaluru Open with clarity and simplicity. “First of all, I’m just trying to get a win,” he admitted candidly. “I’ve had some bad weeks, and I want to break that run. This is the biggest tournament of the year in India, and I just want to play good tennis and show the crowd what I can do.”
His words reflect the significance of the Bengaluru Open on the Indian tennis calendar. As an ATP Challenger event, the tournament has consistently played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the ITF circuit and the higher rungs of professional tennis. Over the past decade, it has provided Indian players with invaluable opportunities to compete against strong international fields on home soil, whether through direct entries, qualifiers or wild cards. For many, including Aryan, it has served as a platform to test themselves under pressure while earning important ranking points.
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Aryan also acknowledged the special atmosphere the tournament brings with it. “The 10th edition is a big moment, especially for Bengaluru tennis. People here have always been really kind and generous to players. Karnataka tennis has been top-notch in terms of hosting and it always feels nice to be back here. The crowd for the big tournaments is excellent,” he said.
The Bengaluru Open will also mark the beginning of a busy phase for Aryan, both on and off the court. “This is my first tournament of the year and after this I’ll be flying to the US for a semester. It’s going to be a fun and exciting experience,” he added, hinting at the balance he continues to strike between his professional career and personal development.
As the Bengaluru Open celebrates a decade of tennis excellence, Aryan Shah steps onto the court carrying ambition, resilience, and the promise of growth. For him, the focus remains firmly on the present: playing good tennis, competing freely, and embracing the opportunity that one of India’s biggest tournaments has to offer.
Tickets for the Bengaluru Open 2026 are available online.
