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Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) will host the 2nd SM Krishna Memorial Open from 18 May till 23 May 2026.

The second week of the Bengaluru Challenger series, beginning Sunday at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium, will be held as the SM Krishna Memorial Challenger ATP 50, marking a significant step up in stature from last year’s ITF Men’s M25 event conducted in April 2025.

The tournament’s elevation to ATP Challenger level reflects Karnataka’s growing prominence on the international tennis calendar and a befitting tribute to Late Mr. S. M. Krishna, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, External Affairs Minister & Governor of Maharashtra who served as President of KSLTA from 1990 till 2020. The USD 63,000 event offers Indian players an opportunity to compete for higher ranking points against stronger international fields.

KSLTA, on Friday announced the singles wild cards for the ATP 50 event, with recent performances in the ongoing Karnataka Open ATP Challenger being rewarded. India’s Bengaluru teenager Kriish Ajay Tyagi, Manish Sureshkumar and Aditya Balsekar have been awarded the Singles  main draw wild cards for the tournament.

Emphasising their intent behind hosting this tournament, Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT, BT & Rural Development & Panchayat Raj and Sr. Vice President, KSLTA said: “The former Chief Minister Late Shri SM Krishna’s contribution to the Nation, state, city of Bengaluru and to Indian tennis is unparalleled. Its only apt that we have been able to upgrade the event to an ATP Challenger this year and this is only a befitting tribute to the great son of Karanataka. KSLTA will always be grateful for his push for the growth of Tennis in the state especially by taking the sport to Tier 2 and tier 3 cities. His passion and love for Tennis will always be remembered and he being an avid player himself.”

Wild cards for the qualifying draw have been awarded to Adil Kalyanpur, Vishal Vasudev M, Aradhya Kshitij, and Rethin Pranav Ramalingam.

Sunil Yajaman, Hon. Joint Secretary, AITA and Tournament Director, said: We are very happy to confirm the singles wild cards to Kriish Tyagi, Manish Sureshkumar and Aditya Balsekar who have earned themselves this privilege based on their performance in the ongoing Karnataka Open ATP Challenger. We are sure that they will make best use of this opportunity to enhance their rankings and game.

The qualifying rounds of the SM Krishna Memorial Challenger ATP 50 will commence on Sunday, with the main draw to follow.

Wild Cards – Main Draw

1. Manish Sureshkumar (IND)

2. Aditya Balsekar (IND)

3. Kriish Ajay Tyagi (IND)

Wild Cards – Qualifying Draw

1.  Adil Kalyanpur (IND)

2. Vishal Vasudev M (IND)

3. Aradhya Kshitij (IND)

4. Rethin Pranav Ramalingam (IND)

The SM Krishna Memorial Open will be conducted at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium from 18 – 23 May. The qualifying rounds would be held from 17 – 18 May 2026. Karnataka continues to take the lead in India to provide International platform for the Indians and also promote sports tourism. Players from 15 countries are a part of the S.M. Krishna Memorial Open event, an ATP 50 event which carries a prize money of US$63,500.