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The KARLE Infra National Ranking Wheelchair Tennis Tournament -2025 came to a fitting close at the S. M Krishna Tennis Stadium at Cubbon Park, with Karnataka stars Shekar Veeraswamy and Shilpa Puttaraju producing commanding performances to clinch both Singles and Doubles titles. The four-day event, organised by the Karnataka Wheelchair Tennis Association (KWTA), featured 45 athletes from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh competing for a total prize purse of ₹3.5 lakh (₹2.5 lakhs for Men’s and ₹1 lakh for Women’s events).

In the Men’s Singles final, top seed Shekar Veeraswamy underlined his supremacy with a 6–4, 6–3 win over Tamil Nadu’s Karthik Karunakaran. Veeraswamy’s consistency from the baseline combined with tactics proved decisive in overcoming Karunakaran, who had strong outing in previous rounds.

Later in the day, Veeraswamy paired with Balachandar Subramanian (TN) to claim the Men’s Doubles title, defeating the experienced Tamil Nadu duo of Mariappan Durai and Karunakaran with 6–4, 6–1.

The Women’s events were dominated by Karnataka, with top seed Shilpa Puttaraju beating her training partner Prathima Rao with a 6–4, 6–4 in the Singles final. In the Doubles final, Puttaraju combined with Shilpa Kudlappa to beat Prathima N Rao and Mubeena Kolkar with 6–3, 6–4, completing a memorable double.

Speaking after his win, Veeraswamy said: “It has been a fantastic tournament and I am grateful to play on these courts where I once worked as a ball-boy. Every victory is special, but winning at home in front of my family, friends and supporters is unforgettable. My goal is to keep improving and push for international titles.”

In addition to his playing career, Veeraswamy also serves as an assistant coach at KSLTA, helping mentor the next generation of players while continuing his own journey as India’s top wheelchair tennis player.

Shilpa Puttaraju, who recently broke into the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Singles Top-100, reflected on her journey: “This week was about testing my game before international tournaments. I’m thrilled with my performance and grateful for the support I’ve received here in Karnataka. Winning both titles is a boost for my confidence as I prepare to represent India in Taipei, Brazil, and Sri Lanka later this year.”

The closing ceremony reflected the inclusivity and spirit of the event with Dr. Pronab Mohanty, IPS, served as Chief Guest, while Padmashri awardee M.K. Sridhar and Sunil Yajaman, Hon. Jt. Secretary of KSLTA, graced the occasion as Guests of Honour.

Chandrakant Baldota, President of KWTA, said: “This tournament is not just about titles. It is about resilience, sportsmanship and giving our wheelchair athletes the platform they deserve. The performances this week have been a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

The KARLE Infra National Ranking Wheelchair Tennis Tournament 2025 not only crowned champions but also reaffirmed Bengaluru’s place as a hub for para-sports, setting the tone for greater international recognition for Indian wheelchair tennis.

Results – Finals
Men’s Singles: [1] Shekar Veeraswamy (KA) bt [2] Karthik Karunakaran (TN) 6–4, 6–3.
Women’s Singles: [1] Shilpa Puttaraju (KA) bt [2] Prathima Rao (KA) 6–4, 6–4.

Men’s Doubles: [2] Shekar Veeraswamy (KA) / Balachandar Subramanian (TN) bt [1] Mariappan Durai / Karthik Karunakaran (TN) 6–4, 6–1.
Women’s Doubles: [1] Shilpa Puttaraju / Shilpa Kudlappa (KA) bt [2] Prathima N Rao / Mubeena Kolkar (KA) 6–3, 6–4.