Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Bengaluru Open Tennis: Rishi Reddy, SD Prajwal Dev handed wildcard entries

Wildcards were also handed over to Niki Poonacha, Karan Singh, Adil Kalyanpur and Arjun Kadhe for the qualifiers which begins from Sunday (February 6).

SD Prajwal Dev

Bengaluru, February 4: Two promising lads from Karnataka -- Rishi Reddy and SD Prajwal Dev -- were handed the last two wildcards for the main draw of the Bengaluru Open 1 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger beginning at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA courts) in Bengaluru from Monday (January 7).

As per a KSLTA Media Release, wildcards were also handed over to Niki Poonacha, Karan Singh, Adil Kalyanpur and Arjun Kadhe for the qualifiers which begin from Sunday (February 6).

The qualifying draw comprises 24 players with six making it to the main rounds which starts on Monday.

Rishi who had won the Rs 1-lakh prize money Karnataka Open a few months ago at the very same courts was more than thrilled to earn wildcard-entry.

"I am very excited. I am honoured that the organisers have given me an opportunity to showcase my talent and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I have been working hard at my game and coming from a good winning streak. I am confident of a good show on this platform,' said the 23-year-old BBA student.

"I have seen many of the players on television but it will be a different experience to rub shoulders with some of the best players," added Rishi whose last international outing was the ITF M15 Doha in December 2021.

Prajwal who hails from Mysore and trains at the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy was equally pleased to have been given a wildcard.

"It is a great opportunity to play in such a tournament. I am extremely thankful to KSLTA for having given me a slot and I hope to repose their faith in my abilities," said Prajwal who had won the ITF Doubles title in Harare in 2019 pairing with Rishi.

"I have been working on my tennis and fitness. The competition will be really tough. I have to step up and play my best game," added the 25-year-old.

"Both Rishi and Prajwal are the best players in Karnataka ranking wise and we are happy to recognize their achievements with an opportunity for them to play at the Bengaluru Open. Hope they utilise the opportunity to the fullest," said Tournament Director Sunil Yajaman.

According to the acceptance list released by the ATP, two players in the top 100 -- Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic and Stefano Travaglia of Italy -- will be headlining the mega event.

As far as Indian challenge goes, Ramkumar Ramanathan, who is ranked 182nd in the world, and 2018 champion Prajnesh Gunneswaran have earned a direct entry into the main draw consisting of 21 direct entries, three wild cards, six qualifiers, and two special exempts making it a draw of 32 vying for honours.

Missing in action will be Sumit Nagal recuperating from an injury, who had won the inaugural edition in 2017.

The Bengaluru Open 1 (February 7 to 13) is part of the back-to-back ATP Challengers to be held in the city.

The second tournament -- Bengaluru Open 2 will be held at the same venue from February 14 to 20.

The Challenger Tour is a series of international tennis competitions -- the second-highest tier of tennis competitions after the ATP Tour and administered by the sport's global governing body.

The 2022 ATP Challenger Tour calendar comprises 36 tournaments with prize money ranging from $37,520 up to $159,360.

The Bengaluru events are carrying a purse of $ 107,000 each.

Story first published: Friday, February 4, 2022, 16:32 [IST]
Other articles published on Feb 4, 2022