WTT Star Contender Chennai Main Draw to Feature Record 13 Indian Players

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Building on the momentum from the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian table tennis is set for a landmark moment at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025.

A record 13 Indian players have secured direct entries into the main draw based on their rankings-marking the strongest homegrown representation across all WTT Star Contender events held in India so far.

The tournament, featuring top-tier international talent led by Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto (World No. 4) and Hina Hayata (World No. 5), kicks off on March 25 with intense competition expected across all categories.

The men's and women's singles main draws will feature 48 players, while the doubles events-men's, women's, and mixed-will follow a 16-pair format. The competition will see players vying for a total prize pool of USD 275,000, with the champions earning 600 crucial ranking points.

Indian players have made history with their presence in the main draw. The women's singles lineup includes Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Ayhika Mukherjee, and Yashaswini Ghorpade-India's highest-ever representation in the event. In the men's singles, four Indian players have directly qualified for the first time in a WTT Star Contender event at home. Leading the charge is veteran paddler Sharath Kamal, alongside Manav Thakkar, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and Harmeet Desai, all instrumental in India's recent successes at the Asian Games and Asian Championships.

Speaking on the significant milestone, Deepak Malik, Co-founder and COO of Stupa Sports Analytics, remarked, "Indian table tennis has reached a significant milestone with its strongest-ever presence in a WTT Star Contender main draw. The fact that both our men's and women's singles contingents have hit new highs globally reflects the rising trajectory our players have been on. From securing historic team qualification for the Olympics to producing consistent results at major international events, we are making our presence felt and the WTT Star Contender Chennai is another crucial step in this journey."

Beyond India's promising lineup, the tournament boasts a stellar international field. Tomokazu Harimoto, fresh off his WTT Star Contender Doha 2025 title, will be a formidable presence in the men's singles, alongside Brazil's Hugo Calderano (World No. 6), a Paris Olympics semifinalist. In the women's draw, Hina Hayata (World No. 5) and Miwa Harimoto (World No. 6) headline a group that includes four top-10 players, ensuring a fiercely competitive contest.

Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) co-promoter Vita Dani highlighted the event's significance, stating, "Having been deeply involved in table tennis for years, I've seen firsthand the dedication and perseverance it takes to compete at this level. Earning a place in a WTT event is never easy, and with a world-class field assembled, the challenge is immense. But our paddlers have continuously proven their mettle, and I have no doubt they will embrace this stage with the same determination that has driven their rise on the global circuit."

In the doubles category, India will be well-represented. Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah lead the men's doubles challenge, while Asian Games bronze medalists Ayhika and Sutirtha Mukherjee will pair up in the women's doubles. Yashaswini Ghorpade will team up with Diya Chitale in another promising combination. Meanwhile, the mixed doubles draw features Shah and Chitale, as well as Harmeet Desai partnering with Ghorpade, adding further depth to India's campaign.

Reflecting on India's growing stature in global table tennis, Kamlesh Mehta, Secretary General of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), noted, "Indian table tennis has come a long way, and seeing more of our players earn entry into the main draw based on merit is a testament to that progress. Just a few years ago, such representation at this level was rare, but today, we are competing on equal footing with the best table tennis programmes in the world. Events like WTT Star Contender have continually helped in that progress and Chennai will continue that trend, challenging our players to aim higher."

The singles main draw will consist of 25 direct entries based on ITTF rankings, along with four host wildcards, two WTT nominations, one WTT youth nomination, eight top-20 players, and eight qualifiers, creating a highly competitive field. Meanwhile, the doubles main draw will feature eight direct entries, two onsite-formed pairs, two host wildcards, and four qualifiers. With wild cards and qualifiers expected to bolster the Indian contingent even further, the stage is set for a thrilling tournament in Chennai.