KSLTA announces Return of ATP Challenger to Bengaluru

ATP Cjhallenger event returns to Bengaluru

Bangalore, June 10, 2015: The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) today announced the return of an ATP Challenger Tournament, a Men’s $50,000 prize money event. The last time Benguluru hosted an ATP Challenger was in 2003. The same is scheduled to be held at the recently refurbished KSLTA stadium courts from 19 – 25 Oct 2015, with two preceding days of qualifying rounds (17 – 18 Oct).

This announcement re-asserts the Garden City’s position as an international tennis destination in the world. Bengaluru has been in the forefront in hosting Tennis of international stature for a long time having conducted a plethora of events like the Davis Cup,WTA Tier-II, Tier-III and ITF professional circuit tennis tournaments.

The Country’s top singles players, namely Somdev DevVarman, Yuki Bhambri and the upcoming sensation Ramkumar Ramanathan are expected to participate along with a tough field of players which would include a few top 100 players from 8-10 countries. The ATP Challenger event, returning to Bengaluru after a 12 year gap is sure to provide a good platform for the Indian players to move up the International ladder against formidable competition. During the 2003 edition last held in Bangalore, Frenchman Gregory Carraz won a grand double, winning the singles crown beating Belgian Gilles Elseneer 6-4, 7-6 (4) and partnered countryman Rodolphe Cadart to clinch the doubles title too.

KSLTA is the only state association in the country which has worked on creating 12 International Tennis destinations in the state. There are 12 districts which have hosted International Tennis events and provided inspiration to youngsters from each of the Districts to take up the sport apart from promoting sports tourism.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. R Ashoka, MLA, former Dy. Chief Minister, GOK and Sr. Vice President, KSLTA remarked, “Karnataka has always been very supportive to sports and sporting events. Such events go a long way in building brand Bengaluru as a top International sporting destination. We at KSLTA are proud to host this ATP Challenger event as such tournaments provide a gamut of opportunities for budding international players from the country and state to participate and compete against their international counter parts. This event will be a treat to Bengalureans as they should witness all the top Indian players along with some highly ranked ATP tour players. We shall make all efforts to ensure the players enjoy their stay in Bengaluru and is special for them.”

Mr. Sunder Raju, Hon. Jt. Secretary, AITA, Hon. Secretary, KSLTA and Chairman, International Tournaments Committee of All India Tennis Association (AITA) said, “We are very excited to bring back the ATP Challenger to Bengaluru after a gap of 12 years. With three players in the top 200, five in top 500 and thirty five others ranked on the ATP tour, we feel this is the time to have more Challenger events in India which would help our players with the required competition to move up higher in the world rankings with reduced expenses and advantage of home conditions. KSLTA has the expertise to hold mega events and we shall leave no stone unturned to make this Challenger, a grand success.” Talking about sponsorship, he said, “Corporate involvement is important as a key contributor in the growth of the state and the country. Corporates today do understand the value of sports as a means of promoting social harmony and the discipline associated with sports is well recognized the world over. We are in touch with potential sponsors and there is keen interest amongst them to be involved in this event. We are confident that the event would mean as important to them as it would be for the players and the people of Bengaluru.”

ATP Bengaluru Challenger Tour event offers players valuable ATP Tour world ranking points as such. The winner stands to earn 80 points and the finalist will gain 48 points. The semi-finalists, quarter-finalists andpre-quarter finalists will garner 29, 15 and 7 points respectively. Qualifiers stand to earn 3 bonus points.

ATP Ranking Points for this event:

W	F	SF	QF	R16	R32	Q
80	48	29	15	7	-	3

About ATP Tour:The ATP is the governing body of the men's professional tennis circuits - the ATP World Tour, the ATP Challenger Tour and the ATP Champions Tour. With 62 tournaments in 31 countries, the ATP World Tour showcases the finest male athletes competing in the world’s most exciting venues. From Australia to Europe and the Americas to Asia, the stars of the 2015 ATP World Tour will battle for prestigious titles and Emirates ATP Rankings points at ATP World Tour Masters 1000, 500 and 250 events, as well as Grand Slams (non ATP events).

At the end of the season only the world’s top 8 qualified singles players and doubles teams, based on their performance throughout the year, will qualify to compete for the last title of the season at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Held at The O2 in London, the event will officially crown the 2015 ATP World Tour No.1 presented by Emirates.

ATP Challenger Tour, known until the end of 2008 as the ATP Challenger Series, is a series of international men's professional tennis tournaments. The top tier of men's tennis is the ATP World Tour, Challenger Tour events are the second highest level of competition, and the Futures tournaments on the ITF Men's Circuit are the third and final tier of international professional competition. The ATP Challenger Tour is administered by the Association of Tennis Professionals. Players who succeed on the ATP Challenger Tour earn sufficient ranking points to become eligible for main draw or qualifying draw entry at ATP World Tour tournaments. All the today's best players, such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Leander Paes amongst others, have played the ATP Challenger Tour tournaments, which served as a spring board for their careers on the ATP World Tour.