The milestone 10th edition of the Dafa News Bengaluru Open promises a compelling start to the 2026 ATP Challenger season, with a strong Indian presence headlining the main draw unveiled on Friday at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium.
Scheduled to begin on January 5, the ATP Challenger 125 event once again underlines Bengaluru’s growing stature as one of Asia’s most reliable and player-friendly stops on the global tennis calendar.
As one of the first ATP tournaments of the year, the Bengaluru Open has traditionally served as an important launchpad for players seeking early momentum, ranking points and confidence. This year’s edition, carrying a total prize purse of USD 225,000, brings together a diverse field featuring players from 19 countries, blending established Challenger-level performers with emerging talents and a significant Indian contingent.
Leading the home challenge is India No. 1 Sumit Nagal, who opens his campaign against Karnataka’s own S. D. Prajwal Dev in what is arguably the most anticipated first-round clash from an Indian perspective. The all-Indian encounter ensures early local interest while also highlighting the depth Indian men’s tennis has built at the Challenger level. Nagal, now a seasoned campaigner on the ATP Tour, will be keen to start the season on a strong note after a demanding 2025 schedule.
At the top of the draw, Spanish top seed Pedro Martínez has been handed a qualifier in the opening round, a matchup that on paper favours the higher-ranked player but still leaves room for early-season unpredictability. Martínez’s consistency on hard courts and experience at both Challenger and ATP Tour levels make him one of the favorites for the title, but the Bengaluru Open has often proven unforgiving to top seeds, particularly in the early rounds.
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The rest of the seeded field adds further depth to the draw. Second seed Harold Mayot, third seed Jay Clarke and fourth seed Lloyd Harris all find themselves in competitive sections, ensuring that the opening rounds will be tightly contested. Harris, in particular, brings a wealth of experience from the ATP Tour and Grand Slam main draws, while Mayot and Clarke have been regular threats on the Challenger circuit over the past two seasons.
One of the defining features of this year’s main draw is the strong Indian representation, with six Indian players featuring directly — a clear reflection of the tournament’s long-standing commitment to providing domestic players exposure at a high international level. Alongside Nagal and Prajwal Dev, the Indian lineup includes India No. 2 Aryan Shah and India No. 3 Karan Singh, both of whom have shown steady progress on the professional circuit.
Wild card entrants Dhakshineswar Suresh and Manas Damne complete the Indian presence in the main draw. Suresh faces a stern test against Croatia’s Duje Ajduković, while teenage prospect Damne has been drawn against Croatian fifth seed Matej Dodig. These matchups offer valuable learning opportunities for the young Indians against opponents with significant experience at this level.
Elsewhere, Aryan Shah will take on Beibit Zhukayev, while Karan Singh faces Borna Gojo, another encounter that will test India’s rising talents against physically imposing, hard-hitting opponents. Collectively, these matchups underline the fine margins at Challenger level and the importance of exposure for Indian players aiming to bridge the gap to the ATP Tour.
Indian participation extends further into the qualifying rounds, which begin on January 4. Ramkumar Ramanathan, Manish Suresh Kumar, Aditya Balsekar and Adil Kalyanpur have all received qualifying wild cards, ensuring that Indian players are well represented across both stages of the tournament. For several of them, the qualifiers provide a crucial pathway to valuable main-draw points and match experience against international competition.
Speaking at the draw ceremony, Maheswar Rao, IAS, Honorary Secretary of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), highlighted the significance of the landmark edition. He emphasized the focus on player experience, smooth logistics, and comfort, noting that the Bengaluru Open has built a strong reputation over the years as a well-organized, player-friendly ATP Challenger. Rao also expressed optimism about increased spectator engagement, particularly during the evening matches under lights, as the city continues to embrace top-level tennis.
The tournament’s importance was echoed by Shri R. Chethan, IPS, Commissioner of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Government of Karnataka, who praised KSLTA for sustaining high organizational standards over a decade. He noted that the Bengaluru Open’s position as the first ATP Challenger of the year gives Indian players a valuable opportunity to begin their season on home soil and measure themselves against international opposition.
Tournament Director Sunil Yajaman underlined the global nature of the event, pointing out participation from 19 countries and the presence of six Indians in the main draw. He also drew attention to Bengaluru’s broader role on the international tennis map, with the city set to host the Davis Cup tie between India and the Netherlands next month—a further endorsement of its infrastructure and organisational capabilities.
For local players, the event carries added emotional significance. Prajwal Dev, reflecting on his opening-round clash against Nagal, spoke about the special feeling of competing in Bengaluru while maintaining a clear competitive focus. Emphasising preparation and execution over external pressure, Dev expressed confidence in the work he has put in leading up to the tournament.
With its mix of proven Challenger performers, promising young internationals and a sizeable Indian contingent, the 10th Dafa News Bengaluru Open is set up for a week of high-intensity tennis. The tournament will progress through the week, culminating in the semi-finals on Friday, January 9, followed by the final on Saturday, January 10, as Bengaluru once again takes centre stage in the global Challenger circuit.
