Sumit Nagal to lead Tennis Players from 28 countries at PMRDA Powered MahaOpen ATP Challenger 100 Men’s International Tennis Championship

Pune, February 15, 2024: India’s top player who recently entered the Top 100′ in the world rankings will lead players from 28 countries at the PMRDA Powered Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 Men’s International Tennis Championship which will be organized by Maharashtra State Lawn tennis Association (MSLTA) in association with the Department of Sports and Youth Services Govt of Maharashtra at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Stadium.

The premier high level ATP Challenger which is sponsored by Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) under a five year agreement will be played from Sunday February 17 to Sunday March 25 2024. The Pune event is the third of a series of ATP Challenger 100 events. held in India. The previous tournaments were held at Chennai and Bengaluru.

Addressing the Media Mr. Rajesh Deshmukh (IAS) Commissioner of Sports and Youth Services Government of Maharashtra said that the PMRDA Powered MahaOpen Challenger is another Feather on Cap of Indian Tennis Calendar organized by MSLTA in association with our department.

“We at Department of Sports are thrilled to support such a huge international event which goes a long way in promoting the image of the Pune Metropolis Region universally”.

“Providing international competition to Indian players and also promotion of Sports has been one of the main reasons for us and the PMRDA getting involved and supporting this event Mr. Deshmukh added.

He announced that the prize money for the event will be USD 130000 (Rs.1.07 crores). The winner will receive 100 ATP ranking points and USD 17650 (Rs.14.50 lakhs) and the runner up 60 ATP points and USD 10380 (Rs.8.5 lakhs) the first round loser receives USD1270 (Rs.1.04 lakhs). The qualifiers also receive an incentive of USD 380 (Rs.31,000/-).

Mr Prashant Sutar Chairman of MSLTA and the JT tournament director said that we are happy to organize this Challenger successfully in the city with aim to benefit Indian Players to gain valuable points.

Organizing the PMR Challenger event is a continuation of a grand vision of MSLTA for tennis development and promotion in Maharashtra and this follows the successful completion of the L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125 K series, said Mr. Sutar

He also announced the two main draw wildcards to Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sasi Kumar Mukund.

The Hon Secretary of MSLTA Sunder Iyer said that it was a proud moment for Maharashtra to host another major tennis this year MSLTA hosted events worth over $4,25,000 (₹3.5 crores) which was the highest in the country and this was possible with Government of Maharashtra support and corporate support we are happy that these events have helped our tennis players not only in Maharashtra but across India.

On behalf of MSLTA and Indian Tennis fraternity we would like to thank PMRDA commissioner Mr. Rahul Mahiwal and the Commissioner of Sports Mr. Rajesh. Deshmukh for their support to the event, he added.

The main draw will consist of 32 players – 23 direct acceptances, 3 wild cards, 6 qualifiers. Qualifying consists of 24 players with 4 wild cards.

Mr Rogerio Santos of Portugal will be the ATP Supervisor for the event.

Other partners for the event will be PMC PCMC, Panchshil, Enerzal (Energy Drink Partners), Shashwat Hospital (Medical Partner), Radio City 91.1, Amanora Park Towers and Bank of Maharashtra.

The timings of play will be from 11am onwards. Entry for spectators to witness the matches is free and we look forward to a great number of sports and tennis lovers to come to the stadium to witness the matches.

Following are The Probable Seeding (Singles)
Nagal, Sumit IND 121
Ajdukovic, Duje CRO 125Sachko, Vitaliy UKR 165 Vacherot, Valentin MON 171
Walton, Adam AUS 177
Crawford, Oliver GBR 190
Jacquet, Kyrian FRA 193
Svrcina, Dalibor CZE 194
Gaio, Federico ITA 197

Players from 28 countries participate in PMRDA-sponsored Grand Open ATP Challenger 100 Men’s International Tennis Championship

Pune, February 15, 2024: Top tennis players from 28 countries have registered their participation in the PMRDA Sponsored Grand Open ATP Challenger 100 Men’s International Tennis Championship organized on behalf of the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and in association with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra. India’s top-ranked tennis player Sumit Nagal, who recently entered the top 100, will also be included. The competition will start from February 17 at Mhalunge Balewadi.

Sponsored by the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA), the tournament has signed a five-year contract and will be held from February 17 to 25, 2024 as the third edition of the ATP Challenger Series in India. The previous two tournaments have been held in Bangalore and Chennai.

While giving more information in the press conference, Rajesh Deshmukh (IAS), Commissioner of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, said that PMRDA organized Grand Open Challenger is one of the season’s tournaments of Indian tennis organized by MSLTA. The sports department is delighted.

Rajesh Deshmukh also said that on this occasion, sports are being encouraged, and as international competitions are available to Indian athletes, they supported the competition on behalf of sports and PMRDA.

A prize money of 130000 USD (Rs 1.07 Crore) has been set for this tournament and the winner will be awarded 100 ATP points and 17650 USD (Rs 14.50 Lakh), while the runner-up will be awarded 60 ATP points and 10380 USD (Rs 8.5 Lakh). So, the player who loses in the first round will also get 1270 dollars (Rs. 1.04 lakh), and the player in the qualifying round will get 380 dollars (Rs. 31 thousand) incentive.

MSLTA Chairman and Tournament Joint Director Prashant Sutar said, “We are delighted to successfully host this Challenger tournament in the city and the tournament will provide valuable ATP points and experience to the Indian players.

Sutar also said that after the successful organization of L&T Mumbai Open WTA 1 Lakh 25 Thousand Women’s Tennis Tournament in Mumbai, this Grand Open ATP Challenger tournament is a part of MSLTA’s visionary efforts to promote and spread the sport of tennis in Maharashtra.

Sutar noted that both India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sasikumar Mukund have been awarded wildcards for the main round.

MSLTA Honorary Secretary Sundar Iyer said MSLTA is very happy to host another major international level competition. This year MSLTA organized competitions worth 4 lakh 25 thousand dollars (Rs. 3.5 crores), which is a record in the field of sports and we have been able to do this only because of the full support of Maharashtra State Government and various sponsors. We feel very satisfied that through the organization of all these tournaments, we have been able to help talented and emerging tennis players not only from Maharashtra, but from all over the country.

On behalf of MSLTA, we are thankful to PMRDA Commissioner Rahul Mahiwal and Maharashtra Government Sports and Youth Services Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh (IAS) for their support.

The main draw of this tournament consists of a total of 32 players including 23 direct entries, 3 wild cards and 6 qualifiers. The qualifying round consists of 24 players and 4 wild cards. Portugal’s Rogerio Santos will be the ATP observer for the tournament. PMC, PCMC, Panchsheel, Enerzal (Official Energy Drink Partner), , and Shaswat Hospital (Medical Aid), Radio City91.1, Amanora Park Tower and Bank of Maharashtra are other sponsor partners of the tournament. The matches in the tournament will start at 11 am every day and all spectators will be given free and open entry.

Rating List-
Sumit Nagal (India, 121), Adukovic Duje (Croatia, 125), Sachko Vitaly (Ukraine, 165), Vacherot Valentin (Myanmar, 171), Walton Adam (Australia, 177), Crawford Oliver (Great Britain, 190), Jacquet Kyrian (France, 193), Seversina Dalbor (Czech Republic, 194), Gio Federico (Italy, 197)

Photo Caption
From L to R:
Mr. Sunder Iyer, Mr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Mr. Prashant Sutar, Arjun Kadhe seen in this photo