India’s top-ranked women’s singles player Sahaja Yamalapalli has been awarded a coveted wild card into the main draw of the L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series, set to be held from February 2 to 8, 2026, at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in Mumbai.
The announcement ensures that India’s leading singles player will feature directly in the main draw of the country’s most prestigious women’s international tennis tournament.
For Sahaja, the wild card represents both recognition and opportunity. As India’s No. 1 singles player, she has steadily established herself as a consistent presence on the international circuit, and the chance to compete in a WTA 125 event on home soil offers a platform to test her progress against higher-ranked global opposition. With the Mumbai Open attracting a strong international field, the tournament presents an important early-season benchmark for the 25-year-old as she looks to build momentum in 2026.
Sahaja’s 2025 season was marked by tangible progress across multiple fronts. One of the highlights came at the ITF Tampico event, where she reached the women’s doubles semifinals alongside Mexico’s Jessica Hinojosa Gomez. More significantly, she played a key role in India’s impressive run at the Asia-Oceania Group I stage of the Billie Jean King Cup in Pune, where the Indian team finished second. She was also part of the national squad during the Play-Offs held in Bengaluru, further underlining her importance within the Indian setup.
Speaking after receiving the wild card, Sahaja expressed both gratitude and motivation. “I am extremely grateful to MSLTA for giving me the wild card,” she said. “Playing a WTA event at home is always truly special, and it means a lot to me. I am going to try and play my heart out in every match and give my 100%. The aim is to go deep in the tournament, but the most important thing for me is to show growth as a player and take confidence into the season.”
The upcoming edition also offers Sahaja a chance to better her performance from last year’s Mumbai Open. In the 2025 tournament, she exited in the round of 32 after a three-set loss to Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee, a match that highlighted both her competitiveness and the fine margins at this level. A year on, Sahaja believes she is better equipped to handle the demands of a WTA 125 event.
Reflecting on her development since the previous edition, she pointed to specific improvements in her game. “I’ve made a few changes since the last edition, especially with my serve, and I’ve seen a massive improvement as a result,” she explained. “I’ve also worked on being tactically disciplined—being consistent under pressure and deciding when to play aggressively. I am really looking forward to showcasing this growth in the upcoming edition of the L&T Mumbai Open.”
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Those adjustments reflect a broader maturation in Sahaja’s approach. Over the past year, she has focused on refining decision-making rather than just shot-making, an area that often determines success at the higher rungs of the professional circuit. Playing at home, with familiar conditions and support, could further aid her ability to execute those plans under pressure.
Beyond her own ambitions, Sahaja emphasised the wider significance of the L&T Mumbai Open for Indian tennis. “The L&T Mumbai Open is extremely important for us,” she said. “It gives Indian players rare and valuable exposure to top-level competition without the challenges of constant travel and expenses. It is also an inspiration for many young players to see that our country is doing a lot for us, and that pushes us to give our best.”
Her comments echo a sentiment widely shared within the Indian tennis ecosystem. With limited WTA-level tournaments hosted in the country, events like the Mumbai Open play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the domestic and international circuits. For players like Sahaja, they offer ranking points, experience, and confidence all within a familiar environment.
As the 2026 L&T Mumbai Open approaches, expectations around Sahaja’s campaign will be measured but optimistic. While the draw is likely to be challenging, her steady upward trajectory, combined with the confidence of being India’s No. 1, positions her as a player capable of making an impact.
More importantly, her presence in the main draw reinforces the tournament’s role as a vital platform for Indian women’s tennis, showcasing homegrown talent alongside some of the best players on the global tour.
