In a bid to champion equal opportunities and elevate the standard of competition for Indian players, Ankita Raina, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Rutuja Bhosale, and promising teenager Vaishnavi Adkar from Maharashtra have clinched wild card entries for the singles main draw at the prestigious L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series Tennis Championships. The event, hosted by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and the Cricket Club of India (CCI), promises to bring world-class tennis to the heart of India.
Organizing Committee members, Mr. Sanjay Khandare and Mr. Pravin Darade, expressed their excitement during a media briefing on Thursday, emphasizing the significance of providing global exposure to Indian talent. “We’re delighted to bring back this world-class event to India, ensuring our players have the chance to compete at the highest level. We extend our gratitude to our sponsor, L&T, for their unwavering support of women’s tennis in the country. Hosting such a major event at the beginning of the year will undoubtedly contribute to the improvement of our players’ rankings and their participation in higher-level global events,” they stated.
Highlighting the challenges faced by Indian players in accessing high-level competitions, Mr. Khandare and Mr. Darade outlined the event’s purpose, aiming to provide 8 to 10 Indian players with the opportunity to accumulate valuable WTA points and enhance their world rankings.
Mr. Prashant Sutar, Chairman of MSLTA, expressed gratitude to the Maharashtra Government for their steadfast support of tennis. He announced the launch of the Lakshyavedh project, a collaborative effort with JC Ferrero Academy to establish a world-class tennis academy in Pune.
Acknowledging the government’s support, Mr. Bharat Oza, President of MSLTA, highlighted the association’s substantial contribution to Indian tennis, organizing international tournaments worth over ₹3.5 crores in various cities. He declared the L&T Mumbai Open as the premier tennis event on the Indian calendar for the year.
Mr. Sanju Kothari, EC Member and Chairman of Tennis Subcommittee of Cricket Club of India, expressed CCI’s privilege in hosting the prestigious event again. He assured tennis enthusiasts of world-class playing facilities at CCI, thanking the President, the Committee, and members for their unwavering support.
Mr. Sunder Iyer, Hon. Secretary of MSLTA, provided updates on the tournament schedule, with qualifying rounds on February 3 and 4, and main draw matches commencing on Monday, February 5, culminating in the finals on Sunday, February 11. An international officiating team, led by Grand Slam supervisor Kerrilyn Kramer of Australia, will oversee the event.
Expressing gratitude to sponsors beyond L&T, Mr. Iyer thanked MMRDA, the Department of Sports, CIDCO, MHADA, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Enerzal, Amrete Low Deuterium Water, and official Radio Partner Radio City for their support.
The tennis extravaganza promises not only fierce competition but also marks a significant step forward for Indian tennis on the global stage. Stay tuned as the country’s top talents vie for success at the L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series.
The Sportz Planet Desk
