Family members of Late Shri SM Krishna including his daughters Mrs. Malavika Hegde and Mrs. Shambhavi Umesh, and grandson Mr. Ishaan Hegde, chief guest Dr. K Govindaraj, MLC and President of the Karnataka Olympic Association and President FIBA, Asia, Sunil Yajaman, Hon. Jt. Secy, AITA and Tournament Director, Ali Katebi, Tournament Supervisor, Peter Vijay Kumar, Ms. Gayatri Rao and Rajashekhar, EC Member.
Mrs. Shambhavi Umesh (right), younger daughter of late Shri SM Krishna along with Dr. K Govindaraj, MLC and President of the Karnataka Olympic Association and President FIBA, Asia light a lamp while paying tribute to the visionary leader.
Bengaluru, May 18: The inaugural ceremony of the second edition of the SM Krishna Memorial Open paid heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Late Shri SM Krishna, as distinguished dignitaries, players, officials, and tennis enthusiasts gathered at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium to mark the beginning of the prestigious tournament.
The ceremony featured a tribute to the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, followed by a symbolic balloon release, celebrating his enduring contribution to public life and sport in the state.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Dr. K. Govindaraj, MLC and President of the Karnataka Olympic Association and President FIBA, Asia alongside members of S.M. Krishna’s family including his daughters Mrs. Malavika Hegde and Mrs. Shambhavi Umesh, and grandson Mr. Ishaan Hegde. Also present were Mr. Sunil Yajaman, Honorary Joint Secretary of the AITA and Tournament Director, Mr. Ali Katebi, Tournament Supervisor, Mr. Peter Vijay Kumar, EC Member, KSLTA and Assistant Tournament Director, Ms. Gayatri Rao, EC Member, KSLTA, and Mr. Rajashekhar, EC Member.
The tournament enters a significant new phase this year. Following the successful hosting of the inaugural S.M. Krishna Memorial Open as an ITF M25 event in 2025, the competition has now made its debut on the ATP Challenger Tour calendar with an increased prize purse of USD 63,000, underlining its growing stature in international tennis.
The upgraded status is expected to attract stronger fields and provide Indian players greater exposure to high-level competition on home soil, while further strengthening Karnataka’s position as a key destination for world-class tennis events.
