Bengaluru, Feb 13: The Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, which has supported the Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger since the last four editions, has further pledged to associate with the coveted event for the next five years. The announcement comes as a boost for the Bengaluru Open which has become a stepping stone, especially for the players from India to graduate for bigger tours while also highlighting the initiative of Karnataka Tourism Department to promote tourism using unique platforms.
“Bengaluru has a great history and is connected with the game of tennis. We are pleased to host the Bengaluru Open tennis tournament, in sync with our vision of promoting Bengaluru as a dynamic city using sports tourism and enhancing brand Bengaluru which has become the hub of IT and start-up capital of India,” said Mr. Pankaj Pandey IAS, Secretary, Karnataka Tourism. While announcing the association, he said: “Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture is very well known. I am sure that through this event, our sporting culture will also come to the fore. We are proud to extend our association with the prestigious Bengaluru Open and Karnataka Tourism commits to be the presenting sponsor of the Bengaluru Open for a period of five years.”
Bengaluru Open has grown in stature since the renaming of the event in 2017. “It is truly amazing news that Karnataka Tourism is looking to promote sports tourism as the support of the government has multi-dimensional benefits. Bengaluru Open has become a formidable and much awaited annual event on the ATP Challenger Tour and a strategic one. We are proud to have hosted players from over 35 countries over a period of time and our Indian players like Saket Myneni, Sumit Nagal, Ramkumar Ramanathan and many others have performed here which has raised their World rankings greatly. It helps Indian players to play with home advantage. We welcome Karnataka Tourism for this support and for placing trust in the event. We are sure this partnership would be advantage all,” said Maheshwar Rao IAS, Hon. Secretary, Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association.
Bengaluru Open is a perfect platform for National and International players, as well as aspiring local players, to compete at an International Challenger stage, and improve their ATP rankings, and compete at Grand Slams. Sumit Nagal’s fairytale victory in the 2017 edition of the Bengaluru Open helped him jump over 150 places and reach a career best ranking of 125. Prajnesh, backed by his victory in the 2018 edition made it to the main draw of five consecutive Grand Slams. James Duckworth, a winner in the last edition in 2020 has broken into the top-50 this year.
