ATP Challengers in India: Who Truly Benefits – Indian Players or International Stars
In recent years, ATP Challenger tournaments have become a crucial part of the Indian tennis circuit, offering local players the opportunity to earn ranking points without traveling abroad. States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have taken the initiative to host these events, thus establishing a platform for Indian players to compete against elite international talent.
Despite ongoing efforts, Indian athletes have found it challenging to fully leverage these opportunities. While these tournaments are designed to enhance Indian tennis, the outcomes indicate that international competitors frequently reap the greatest rewards.
Indian Players Struggling to Make an Impact
Since 2019, only one Indian player has managed to win a Challenger title in India—Sumit Nagal, who clinched victory in Chennai last year. Out of 12 Challenger tournaments hosted in the country, this is the only notable success story for Indian singles players.
In the upcoming Challenger tournaments in Chennai, no Indian player has a ranking high enough to gain direct entry into the main draw. Instead, they rely on wildcards, which highlights the lack of depth and ranking points among Indian competitors.
Sumit Nagal’s Different Approach
Sumit Nagal, currently ranked World No. 105, has decided to skip the Indian Challengers to compete in South America on his preferred clay courts. His absence prompts an inquiry into whether these Indian events genuinely benefit local players or merely act as pathways for international competitors to enhance their rankings.
Meanwhile, other Indian players like Sasikumar Mukund (ranked 395), Ramkumar Ramanathan (ranked 400), and Karan Singh (ranked 500) had to depend on wildcards for entry into these tournaments. This further proves the difficulty Indian players face in securing spots in higher-level competitions.
Coaching Problems Holding Back Indian Talent
According to former World No. 75 Prajnesh Gunneswaran, the biggest problem is not a lack of talent but rather inadequate coaching and training facilities. He pointed out that while sports like badminton and cricket have legendary mentors like Pullela Gopichand and Rahul Dravid guiding future generations, tennis lacks an Indian figure of similar stature.
“There is no former Indian player coaching at the highest level,” Prajnesh stated. “If we want to produce world-class players, we either need to develop top-quality Indian coaches or hire experienced foreign coaches. However, hiring foreign coaches requires heavy investment, which is not always feasible.”
Are Back-to-Back Tournaments Hurting Indian Players?
Former Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali believes that the scheduling of ATP Challengers in India is also a contributing factor to the lack of Indian success.
“Hosting multiple tournaments in a row attracts high-ranked foreign players,” Ali explained. “They find it cost-effective to stay in India for a few weeks and dominate the entry lists. As a result, Indian players struggle to make an impact.”
Ali suggested that spacing out the tournaments might be a better approach. “Instead of scheduling them back-to-back in February when the weather is favorable, we should consider hosting some events in the hotter months of June or July. This could reduce foreign participation and create better opportunities for Indian players.”
ATP’s Tournament Scheduling Strategy
The ATP prefers to schedule Challenger tournaments in clusters, making it easier for players to manage travel expenses. While this approach benefits international players, it often disadvantages Indian athletes who find themselves facing a higher level of competition.
A prime example of this issue was in 2023 when Australian player Max Purcell entered India ranked 203, participated in three back-to-back Challenger tournaments, and left the country ranked inside the top 100. This highlights how these tournaments often serve as launchpads for international players rather than benefiting local talent.
The Bengaluru Open: A Key Opportunity for Indian Players
One tournament that continues to gain prominence is the Bengaluru Open, which is scheduled to take place from February 24 to March 2. Sunil Yajaman, the joint-secretary of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), emphasized how this event has evolved over the years.
“In 2022, the Bengaluru Open offered 80 ATP points and a prize of $7,200 for the singles winner. By 2025, this will increase to 125 ATP points and $28,400,” Yajaman revealed. “While the tournament is growing, what we truly need is an Indian winner to make an impact.”
Yajaman remains optimistic that Indian players will soon break through. “In Bengaluru, we’ve had two Indian champions in the last eight years—Sumit Nagal in 2017 and Prajnesh Gunneswaran in 2018. If our players prepare better, they have a real chance of success.”
Can Indian Tennis Strike the Right Balance?
While ATP Challenger tournaments in India provide valuable opportunities, they currently seem to benefit foreign players more than local athletes. The lack of proper coaching, unfavorable scheduling, and tough competition from international players continue to limit Indian success.
With the growth of tournaments like the Bengaluru Open, Indian tennis has a chance to develop further. However, for these events to truly serve their purpose, there must be a greater focus on player development, improved training facilities, and better planning of tournament schedules. Until then, Indian tennis will continue to struggle to turn home-ground advantage into meaningful victories.
