Kalaburagi Open W35 Welcomes Indian Tennis Stars with Wildcard Entries

Indian Players Secured Wildcards for Kalaburagi Open

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 26: Indian tennis players Jennifer Luikham, Soha Sadiq, Sama Chevika Reddy, and Amodini Naik have received wildcard entries into the main draw of the upcoming Kalaburagi Open W35.

This tournament is set to take place from March 2 to March 8, with qualifying rounds kicking off on March 1 at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium in Kalaburagi. The event aims to showcase domestic talent, as highlighted in a statement from the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA).

The competition for the main draw is intense, with five more Indian players—Potugari Chandana, Omna Yadav Davunaboina, Harshini Nagaraj, Snigdha Kanta, and Hridayeshi Pai—receiving wildcards to participate in the qualifying rounds. These qualifiers serve as a critical platform for players to gain experience against international competitors and earn essential ranking points.

The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it marks the return of international women's tennis to Kalaburagi after a ten-year hiatus, the last professional women's event being held in 2015. This revival underscores Karnataka's emerging reputation as a prominent venue for international tennis events and its dedication to enhancing the women's professional circuit.

Sunil Yajaman, Joint Secretary of KSLTA, expressed, “The Kalaburagi Open W35 signifies another key achievement for tennis in Karnataka. We are thrilled to see four skilled Indian players awarded main draw wildcards. Events of this nature are vital for providing young athletes with international exposure and essential ranking opportunities right at home. KSLTA is committed to creating more avenues for Indian players to compete, advance, and thrive on the global stage.”

The tournament boasts a prize pool of USD 30,000 and offers valuable WTA ranking points, with participants expected from over 11 countries, promising a week filled with high-caliber competition in North Karnataka.