Chennai Open WTA 250 to Return for Third Edition from November 2 to 8
Chennai: The Chennai Open WTA 250 International Women’s Tennis Championship will return to the city for its third edition from November 2 to 8, 2026, at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Nungambakkam.
The tournament, being held for the second successive year, is the highest-level international women’s tennis event currently being staged in India. The 2026 edition is expected to feature players ranked among the top 100 in the world.
The event was announced by Vijay Amritraj, President of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA). He said the tournament is intended to provide opportunities for Indian players and encourage greater participation in tennis, particularly among young women.
Last year’s Chennai Open saw Indian players Sahaja Yamalapalli and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty reach the second round, marking the first time two Indian women players progressed to the second round of a WTA 250 event.
Government support for tournament
Sandeep Nanduri, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Sports Development & Youth Affairs, said the state government has allocated ₹10 crore towards the tournament.
He said infrastructure upgrades and other support would be provided at the SDAT International Tennis Stadium in Nungambakkam to meet international standards.
The state government is also developing 10 Olympic Centres of Excellence, which are intended to provide advanced training under international and expert coaches.
According to Nanduri, the government also plans to host more major sporting events in the state, including an ATP tournament in the future.
Electronic line calling introduced
The 2026 edition will introduce electronic Line Calling technology for the first time across all three match courts at the SDAT Tennis Stadium.
The tournament is being organised by the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association, with the support of the Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Sports Development & Youth Affairs and Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). Octagon is also involved in the event.
Alastair Garland, Managing Director – Tennis, Octagon, said the organisation would work with TNTA and its partners to conduct the tournament in November.
Support for young tennis players
TNTA President Vijay Amritraj also highlighted the association’s Next Level programme, supported by Bajaj Finserv, which provides training, fitness support, tournament participation and travel assistance to nine players, comprising five girls and four boys.
Among the players supported through the programme is Diya Ramesh, who has participated in the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior events and is ranked No. 2 in India. Among the boys, Rohit Hari Balaji is also progressing through the programme.
Amritraj said TNTA has conducted a major international ATP or WTA event at the stadium almost every year since its establishment in December 1995, except during the two COVID-affected years.
The 2026 Chennai Open will run from November 2 to 8 at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
