Tumakuru in Karnataka is set to boost its tennis scene by hosting the inaugural ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour W35 event from May 4-10 at the Tumkur District Tennis Stadium, situated within Tumkur University Campus. This event, with a prize money of USD 30,000, is a significant part of the global ITF Women’s circuit, offering players crucial ranking points and a pathway to the WTA Tour. It will feature a competitive field of emerging international players and top Indian professionals vying in a 32-player singles main draw along with qualifying rounds.
The tournament marks Tumakuru’s second international event and its first ITF Women’s competition in over two decades. Following successful tournaments in Bengaluru and Kalaburagi, this event aims to raise Karnataka’s profile on the global tennis stage and emphasizes the efforts to expand the sport beyond traditional centers. Minister for Home and District In-charge Minister of Karnataka, G. Parameshwara, expressed pride in Tumakuru hosting such a significant international event after a long gap, highlighting the district’s sporting culture and infrastructure progress.
Notably, Tumakuru last hosted an international tennis event in 2003, the ATP Challenger (Tumkur Open), where renowned players like Rohan Bopanna and Prakash Amritraj participated. The tournament, won by Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, also saw Marcos Baghdatis as a runner-up, who later achieved a career-high World No. 8 ranking. Priyank M. Kharge, Minister for IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj of Karnataka, and Sr. Vice President of Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), commended the initiative to host an international women’s tennis tournament in Tumakuru, emphasizing the state’s commitment to expanding sporting opportunities to non-major centers.
The upcoming ITF W35 event in Tumakuru signifies a significant milestone for the city, showcasing a revival and progress in its tennis infrastructure and development. With strong support from various stakeholders, including the Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate of Tumakuru, Subha Kalyan, I.A.S., the tournament is expected to enhance the city’s visibility on the global sporting map and provide valuable opportunities for local youth to engage in tennis at a competitive level. The event is anticipated to attract top players from India and abroad, promising a week of high-quality tennis and contributing to Karnataka’s reputation as a key hub for the sport in India.
