International tennis returns to Bengaluru with renewed significance as India’s top-ranked singles player, Sumit Nagal, headlines the home challenge at the landmark 10th edition of the Dafa News Bengaluru Open.
With the main draw getting underway at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium, the ATP Challenger 125 event once again places the city firmly on the global tennis map. For Nagal, the Bengaluru Open is more than just another stop on the Challenger Tour. It is a tournament deeply intertwined with his professional journey, one that has played a defining role in shaping his career trajectory. Now India’s No. 1 singles player and among the country’s most accomplished performers in the modern era, Nagal arrives in Bengaluru carrying experience forged on the sport’s biggest stages.
Over the years, Nagal has represented India at the Olympic Games, been a consistent presence in the Davis Cup set-up for more than a decade, and broken into the ATP Top 100, a milestone few Indian singles players have managed. His resume includes multiple ATP Challenger titles, notable wins on the ATP Tour, and a historic achievement at the Australian Open, where he became the first Indian in over two decades to win a men’s singles main-draw match.
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Ahead of the 2026 season, Nagal has placed particular emphasis on preparation and physical readiness, especially with the Bengaluru Open serving as one of his first competitive outings of the year. “For me, preparation is key,” Nagal said. “Arriving early, understanding the conditions, and spending more time on the court makes a big difference, especially at the start of the year.”
That familiarity with conditions is one of the reasons Bengaluru continues to hold special significance for the 26-year-old. As his international career gathered momentum, the city became a crucial base for training and competition. “This city means a lot to me,” Nagal reflected. “My professional career really started here. I trained in Bengaluru early on, and many of my most important milestones have come on these courts.”
Among those milestones, none stand taller than his breakthrough title at the Bengaluru Open in 2017. That victory marked Nagal’s first ATP Challenger crown and proved to be a turning point, offering tangible belief that he belonged at a higher level of the professional game. “Winning that title here gave me belief,” he said. “It showed me that I could compete consistently at this level.”
It is that personal connection which lends added weight to Nagal’s praise for the tournament. “I’ve said it earlier and I’ll say it again the Bengaluru Open is one of the best Challenger tournaments in the world that I have played,” he stated. The endorsement is significant, coming from a player who has competed extensively across continents and experienced the Challenger circuit at its most competitive.
Beyond the on-court action, Nagal highlighted the broader environment that makes Bengaluru a preferred destination. “It’s not just about tennis,” he explained. “I have great memories here, good friends, and it’s always been a very comfortable place for me to prepare. The atmosphere is relaxed, the people are welcoming, and the support you get as a player is special.”
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Organised by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), the 10th edition of the Bengaluru Open will be held from January 5 to 10, 2026, at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium. With a total prize purse of USD 225,000 and 125 ATP ranking points on offer for the singles champion, the tournament continues to grow in stature, attracting a strong international field and providing Indian players a crucial platform to test themselves against world-class opposition.
As the Bengaluru Open celebrates a decade on the ATP Challenger Tour, Sumit Nagal’s presence serves as both a reminder of how far Indian men’s tennis has come and a benchmark for where it aims to go next.
