Maharashtra’s top-ranked women’s singles player Vaishnavi Adkar will get a golden opportunity to test herself against elite international competition after being awarded a wild card into the main draw of the 2026 L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series, set to be held at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) courts from February 2 to 8.
The qualifiers will be played on January 31 and February 1, before the main draw begins, but for Adkar who hails from Pune the week already carries special meaning. At just 21 years of age, she has emerged as one of Maharashtra’s brightest tennis prospects, and playing a WTA-level event on home soil represents a pivotal moment in her young career.
Adkar’s rise has been steady rather than flashy, built on persistence, technical improvement and strong results at the domestic and international ITF level. Her breakthrough came in 2024 when she won her maiden ITF Pro singles title at the W15 Women’s Tennis Championship in Ahmedabad, a milestone that confirmed her ability to compete and win on the professional circuit.
Later that year, she made history for Indian women’s tennis by winning a bronze medal at the World University Tennis Championship in Germany the first Indian woman ever to reach the podium at the prestigious global student-athlete event. That performance not only boosted her confidence but also placed her firmly on the radar as a player with international potential.
Now, the L&T Mumbai Open offers a rare chance to measure herself against players ranked far above her in the global pecking order without having to travel overseas.
“It’s really enjoyable to play in front of my home fans,” Adkar said ahead of the tournament. “The energy is unmatched and the atmosphere is always positive and encouraging. When you hear people cheering for you, it gives you that extra boost, especially in tight moments. I feel proud to play in Maharashtra and represent India, and I’m really thankful to everyone who comes out to support us.”
For players outside the top 200, access to WTA-level events is often limited by ranking cut-offs and travel costs. That makes the Mumbai Open especially valuable for Indian players like Adkar, who are still building their profiles on the professional tour.
“Personally, my ranking is not high enough to get into WTA events directly,” she acknowledged. “So having the L&T Mumbai Open here in Maharashtra really helps to get the exposure that I need against higher-ranked players. For this, I would like to thank MSLTA, Honourable President Mr. Prashant Sutar and Honourable Secretary Mr. Sunder Iyer for giving me this opportunity.”
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
The L&T Mumbai Open, now in its fifth edition, has become one of India’s most important women’s tennis tournaments, regularly attracting players from the top 100–150 range and offering valuable WTA ranking points. For Indian players, it provides a critical bridge between the ITF circuit and the higher-pressure world of the WTA Tour.
For Adkar, the event is not just about results, but about learning and growth.
“I want to focus on a few important aspects, like improving my serve and controlling the baseline,” she said. “This tournament will help me observe what higher-ranked players are doing differently how they manage rallies, how they stay composed under pressure and I hope to take those lessons and improve my game.”
That mindset reflects her broader development path. While her achievements already include an ITF title and a global university medal, Adkar knows that consistent progress at the professional level requires patience and incremental improvement. Coaches within the Maharashtra tennis ecosystem have praised her work ethic and tactical discipline, and the Mumbai Open could provide the platform she needs to take the next step.
With the home crowd behind her and a chance to test herself against seasoned international opponents, Adkar will walk onto the MSLTA courts not just as a wild-card entrant, but as a player carrying the hopes of Maharashtra’s tennis community and one eager to turn opportunity into momentum.
As the 2026 L&T Mumbai Open gets underway, all eyes will be on whether the young Punekar can translate her promise into a breakthrough performance on one of the biggest stages in Indian women’s tennis.
