BENGALURU, March 11, 2022 (KSLTA Press Release)

Former India No.1 Junior Nikshep Ballekere Ravikumar and Tathagat Charantimath, both from Karnataka along with former Asian Games medalist and Davis Cup player Vishnu Vardhan as well as Anirudh Chandrashekar have been handed over a wildcard for the upcoming US$15,000 KSLTA ITF Open that begins at the KSLTA Stadium on Sunday. The four players will join 20 others in the main draw along with eight qualifiers.

Announcing the wildcards, Maheshwar Rao, Hon. Secretary, KSLTA said: “KSLTA is pleased to announce the wild cards to two of the best prospects from Karnataka. Nikshep has been a top junior player in India at all levels including the Junior National Championship while Tathagat has shown immense promise to make it big. We wish them all the best in gaining the required experience and building on their International ranking.”

It will be the first time for both Ballekere Ravikumar and Tathagat who will be playing in the main draw of an ITF World Tennis Tour event. “I am very happy and excited to be playing in the ITF Futures and to be playing in my hometown. I thank the KSLTA for giving me an opportunity to achieve my goal. I am looking forward to earning my first ATP points from this event,” said the 24-year-old Ballekere Ravikumar.

Tathagat meanwhile is looking to rub shoulders with some of the best players. “Barring a few top players, all the others will be here and I am looking forward to playing with them. I am both nervous and excited as I am playing the main draw for the first time. I would like to thank KSLTA for giving me a spot and I am confident of a good show,” said the 23-year-old.

KSLTA ITF Open is the second leg of the three back-to-back tournaments scheduled in India. The qualifying rounds begin on Sunday.