Six years after professional tennis in Kolkata came to an abrupt halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is officially back on the international circuit. In March 2020, the ITF M15 Kolkata (9–15 March) was suspended midway as the pandemic began to unfold globally.
Now, in March 2026, the city marks its return in a bigger way with an upgraded ITF M25 event offering a prize purse of $30,000. Scheduled from March 8 to 15, 2026, at the Bengal Tennis Association (BTA) Courts in Salt Lake, the tournament signals the end of Kolkata’s professional drought and the beginning of what could be a renewed era for tennis in the state.
A City With Deep Tennis Roots
Kolkata’s relationship with tennis runs deeper than most Indian cities. Often described as the “Cradle of Indian Tennis,” the city has produced some of the sport’s most influential figures.
From Jaidip Mukerjea and Premjit Lall to Akhtar Ali, Zeeshan Ali, and Naresh Kumar, Bengal’s tennis heritage is embedded in Indian Davis Cup history. The most globally recognised name, of course, is Leander Paes India’s 18-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic medallist who began his journey in the city.
Central to this legacy is the iconic Calcutta South Club, founded in 1920. It remains one of India’s most storied tennis venues and is uniquely equipped with all three major surfaces grass, clay, and hard courts within a single complex . For decades, the club’s multi-surface exposure gave Kolkata-based players a technical advantage, allowing them to adapt seamlessly to international conditions.
The city has also hosted top-tier women’s tennis in the past, most notably the WTA Sunfeast Open, which brought global names to Kolkata and briefly placed it firmly on the WTA Tour map.
From M15 to M25: A Significant Step Up
The 2026 event is not merely a resumption it is an upgrade. An ITF M25 offers more ATP ranking points and higher prize money than the M15 level. With a $30,000 purse, the tournament is expected to attract stronger international fields and provide Indian players with a more competitive platform on home soil.
For emerging Indian professionals, such events are crucial. Competing internationally often involves heavy travel and logistical costs. A well-placed M25 within the Indian swing provides an opportunity to earn valuable ATP points without leaving the country.
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Strategically scheduled from March 8–15, the Kolkata M25 follows closely after the established ATP Challenger swing in India, which includes Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Pune . This timing makes it attractive for international players already competing in Asia, potentially strengthening the draw.
The tournament’s return also coincides with a leadership transition at the Bengal Tennis Association. In November 2025, Leander Paes assumed the role of BTA President, marking a generational shift in governance.
Paes has publicly spoken about building a stronger ecosystem rather than focusing solely on hosting events. His administrative vision reportedly includes grassroots talent identification, high-performance academies, re-integrating former players into coaching roles, and expanding tennis beyond metropolitan Kolkata.
If that roadmap is implemented effectively, the M25 could serve as the foundation rather than the pinnacle.
Could Challengers Return?
The natural question now is whether this M25 is a stepping stone toward something bigger.
India currently hosts multiple ATP Challenger events annually, but Kolkata has been absent from that tier for years. To re-enter the Challenger circuit or eventually aspire to ATP 250-level status the city would require upgraded infrastructure, enhanced lighting for broadcast standards, improved practice facilities, and increased corporate backing.
The lessons of the WTA Sunfeast Open remain relevant. Scheduling conflicts and logistical challenges ultimately contributed to its discontinuation. A sustained return to higher-tier tennis will require careful calendar planning and long-term financial commitment.
However, there are reasons for optimism. West Bengal’s sports budget has seen significant expansion in recent years, and state-level emphasis on infrastructure development could align with the BTA’s ambitions . Additionally, Paes’ global network and stature within international tennis circles provide leverage in attracting sponsors and partnerships.
The Bigger Picture
Professional tournaments are not just about ranking points they are about identity, visibility, and aspiration.
For local juniors competing in ITF events and state circuits, seeing international tennis return to their city matters. It bridges the gap between grassroots development and professional opportunity. It also restores Kolkata’s presence in conversations about Indian tennis hubs, alongside Bengaluru and Chennai. Whether Challenger events or full Tour-level tournaments eventually return will depend on execution facility upgrades, sponsor alignment, and sustained organisational credibility.
But for now, the significance lies in the restart. Six years after a pandemic-induced interruption, professional men’s tennis is back in Kolkata. The courts in Salt Lake will once again host ATP hopefuls, ranking battles, and the quiet ambition of players chasing bigger dreams.
It may be an ITF M25 today but it could well be the first chapter of something far larger.
For a city with such deep tennis heritage, the comeback itself is worth celebrating.
