New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) S. D. Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha will lead the Indian challenge as the highest-ranked all-Indian duo in the main draw at the Delhi Open 2026, set to be held at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi from February 16–22.

Australia’s Dane Sweeny and Japan’s Seita Watanabe will headline a competitive doubles field for the ATP Challenger event, which features a strong mix of established doubles specialists and singles players doubling up, adding depth and intrigue to the draw.

Sweeny and Watanabe enter as the top-ranked pair in the field with a combined team ranking of 265. Watanabe, ranked 127 in doubles, joins forces with Sweeny, who sits at 138 in singles, forming one of the most formidable combinations in the tournament.

Leading the Indian challenge will be S D Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha, the highest-ranked all-Indian duo in the main draw. Dev (219) and Sinha (243) will look to capitalise on familiar home conditions as they take on a seasoned international field.

The doubles draw also underlines the tournament’s depth, with five players competing in both singles and doubles — Jay Clarke (Great Britain), Sweeny (Australia), Michael Geerts (Belgium), Daniel Michalski (Poland), and Rio Noguchi (Japan).

The seven teams have earned direct entry based on the doubles rankings, highlighting the presence of specialist combinations. In addition, Sweeny, Clarke, and Michalski have gained entry into the doubles draw via their singles rankings, further strengthening the competition.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, DLTA President Rohit Rajpal emphasised the Delhi Open’s growing stature on the Challenger circuit.

“The Delhi Open has established itself as one of the most competitive Challenger events in the region. It plays a crucial role in bridging Indian talent with top international competition, giving our players the advantage of competing at home while offering fans world-class tennis from close quarters,” Rajpal said.

Highlighting the importance of doubles in player development, he added: “The strength of this year’s doubles field reflects the tournament’s rising quality. The mix of specialist doubles players and singles competitors raises the overall standard and exposes Indian players to diverse playing styles and tactical demands at the Challenger level.”

The Delhi Open continues to serve as a key stop on the ATP Challenger Tour calendar, offering valuable ranking points and competitive opportunities for emerging and established players alike.

–IANS

bsk/