Kalaburagi to Host Inaugural ITF W35 Women's Tennis Tournament in 2026

Kalaburagi Welcomes ITF W35 Tournament

Kalaburagi is gearing up to host its largest international women's tennis event, the ITF W35 Kalaburagi, scheduled from March 1 to 8, 2026, at the Chandrashekar Patil Stadium. This tournament, with a prize pool of USD 30,000, is part of the ITF Women's World Tennis Tour and marks the city's first ITF W35-level women's professional competition, according to a press release from the ITF.

The tournament will feature a main draw of 32 singles players, alongside a qualifying draw of the same size starting on March 1, and a doubles draw consisting of 16 teams. Matches for the main draw will kick off on March 3. As an ITF W35 event, it offers essential ranking points and serves as a stepping stone for players aiming to compete at higher levels, including the WTA Tour. Competitors from 11 countries are set to participate, including Achisa Chanta from Thailand (WR 443) and Jasmijn Gimbrere from the Netherlands (WR 431).

Indian talent will be prominently represented in the singles main draw, led by Vaishnavi Adkar, who recently achieved the rank of India's number two and made history by reaching the final of the ITF Women's Open W100 in Bengaluru, a feat not accomplished by an Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2009. Other notable Indian players include Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Ankita Raina, both of whom performed admirably in Bengaluru last week. Additional participants in the main draw are Zeel Desai, Akanksha Dileep Nitture, Shruti Ahlawat, and Sonal Patil.

Karnataka's Emergence as a Tennis Powerhouse

Karnataka has proven its capability to host prestigious international tournaments, including the Davis Cup Qualifiers, Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs, Bengaluru Open ATP 125 Challenger, and the KPB Trust ITF Women's Open (W100), which is the highest-value women's ITF tournament in India. The ITF W35 Kalaburagi adds to the state's impressive lineup of world-class tennis events.

Supporting Local Talent and Aspirations

Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's Minister for IT BT & RDPR, District Incharge Minister, and Vice President of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), emphasized the significance of hosting the W35 in Kalaburagi. He stated, "This tournament is a vital step in enhancing access to international-level competition in the state. It offers players essential ranking points and exposure, while also allowing young athletes in the region to experience professional tennis firsthand. We believe that events like this are crucial for strengthening India's competitive framework and motivating the next generation to pursue tennis with greater ambition and confidence."

"Kalaburagi has previously embraced such events, inspiring many young people to engage in sports. I am confident that players will have a memorable experience in this historic city. The Kalaburagi District Administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, has made extensive arrangements for the event with support from KSLTA. This is another step towards establishing Karnataka as a premier tennis destination in the country," he added.

Kalaburagi's Tennis Landscape Gets a Major Boost

The inclusion of Kalaburagi in the 2026 ITF calendar underscores India's ongoing development in the international women's tennis arena. The city has previously hosted ITF Women's events with a prize money of USD 10,000 in 2012 and two consecutive editions in 2015. The upcoming W35 tournament signifies a substantial upgrade in both category and prize money, further elevating Kalaburagi's status in the global women's tennis scene.