The Fenesta National tennis championship is set to ignite the courts at the DLTA Complex starting this Monday, promising a thrilling contest. With two former national champions, Vishnu Vardhan and Manish Sureshkumar, strategically placed in opposing halves of the men’s draw, anticipation is high for some gripping matches. Both seasoned players possess the skill and experience to challenge any opponent in the competition.
This exciting fortnight-long event isn’t just for the pros; it encompasses a wide range of categories, featuring intense battles across men’s, women’s, and junior divisions, including Under-18, Under-16, and Under-14 for both boys and girls.
The tournament carries a rich history, conjuring vivid memories of past triumphs. Who could forget the spectacular run of unseeded Syed Fazaluddin, who defied all odds to claim the men’s title on these very grass courts back in the early 1990s when it was known as the Shriram Open? Or the special dispensation granted to a young Sania Mirza in 2000, allowing her to compete in the women’s event despite being under 14, a testament to her burgeoning talent.
Through its esteemed history, the championship has served as a launchpad for many aspiring athletes, propelling talents like Yuki Bhambri onto the international tennis stage.
Barring the period of renovation for the Commonwealth Games and the recent global pandemic, this prestigious tournament, now officially recognized as the National Championship, has been a consistent fixture on the tennis calendar for years.
This year, the spotlight shines brightly on top seed Nitin Kumar Sinha, alongside formidable contenders like Prajwal Dev, Ishaque Eqbal, Suraj Prabodh, and Abhinav Sanjeev Shanmugam. Their quest to be crowned the new champion promises an enthralling challenge.
On the women’s side, rising stars such as Vaishnavi Adkar, Akanksha Nitture, and Pooja Ingale will be looking to seize this golden opportunity, hoping a strong performance here will significantly advance their burgeoning careers.
Here are the top seedings for the Men’s category:
1. Nitin Kumar Sinha
2. Prajwal Dev
3. Vishnu Vardhan
4. Ishaque Eqbal
5. Parth Aggarwal
6. Oges Theyjo
7. Ajay Malik
8. Udit Kamboj