Indian tennis professional Prajwal Dev has been awarded a wild card for the main draw of the Bengaluru Open 2026, adding a strong homegrown presence to the prestigious ATP Challenger 125 event.
Scheduled to be held from January 5 to 11, 2026, the tournament marks its 10th edition this year and continues to play a key role in India’s tennis ecosystem by providing local players exposure to high-level international competition.
The decision to hand Dev a wild card underlines the Bengaluru Open’s long-standing commitment to nurturing Indian talent. Organised by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) in association with the All India Tennis Association (AITA), the event has consistently served as a bridge between domestic success and the global professional circuit. Over the years, it has offered Indian players a rare opportunity to test themselves against established names and rising stars from across the world.
Dev arrives at the tournament in good form, having won the men’s singles title at the ITF World Tennis Tour M15 event in Bhubaneswar last month. That victory not only boosted his confidence but also reaffirmed his ability to compete at a high level. For the 29-year-old, the wild card entry into Bengaluru Open 2026 presents a valuable chance to build on that momentum at one of India’s most competitive tennis events.
Upgraded to ATP Challenger 125 status in 2025, the Bengaluru Open has grown significantly in stature. With a prize purse exceeding USD 225,000 and 125 ATP ranking points on offer for the singles champion, the tournament now sits among the most important stops on the Challenger circuit in Asia. The upgrade has attracted a stronger international field, making the event both more demanding and more rewarding for players looking to climb the rankings.
For Dev, competing in Bengaluru carries added significance. A native of Mysore, he will be playing in his home state, a factor that often brings both familiarity and heightened expectations. Speaking after receiving the wild card, Dev described the opportunity as a proud moment in his career, highlighting the importance of the tournament in providing Indian players with a world-class platform. He also expressed gratitude to KSLTA for their continued support and stressed his eagerness to make the most of the chance.
Dev’s career has been defined by steady progression rather than overnight breakthroughs. The right-hander achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 595 in February 2024 and has enjoyed greater success in doubles, where he reached a career-best ranking of No. 265 in July 2025.
His doubles credentials include an ATP Challenger title at the 2023 President’s Cup in Kazakhstan, which he won alongside fellow Indian Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha. That success on the Challenger circuit underlines his ability to perform against strong international opposition.
Beyond individual achievements, Dev has been a consistent contributor to Karnataka tennis. He has regularly represented the state at the National Games and has twice been honoured as Karnataka’s flag bearer, reflecting his stature and leadership within the domestic circuit. Those experiences have helped shape him into a seasoned professional, capable of handling the pressures that come with competing on home soil.
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Tournament Director Sunil Yajaman emphasised these qualities while announcing the wild card. He noted Dev’s commitment and consistency over the years, describing him as a deserving recipient of the opportunity. Yajaman reiterated that supporting Indian players remains central to the Bengaluru Open’s vision, and expressed confidence that Dev would rise to the occasion in front of the home crowd.
The 10th edition of the Bengaluru Open is expected to feature a competitive mix of international players and leading Indian professionals, promising fans a week of high-quality tennis. For Indian tennis, the event remains a crucial platform one that not only brings world-class action to domestic audiences but also plays an active role in player development.
With Prajwal Dev set to take the court as a wild card entrant, the Bengaluru Open once again highlights its commitment to Indian talent. As the tournament celebrates a decade of existence, Dev’s participation adds a distinctly local flavour to an event that continues to grow in global relevance, while offering Indian players a stage to push their ambitions forward.
