Coromandel Chennai Open 2026: ATP Challenger Returns to SDAT Stadium – Preview, Seeds, and Schedule
The international tennis spotlight returns to the iconic SDAT Tennis Stadium in Nungambakkam as the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) hosts the Coromandel Chennai Open ATP Challenger 50.
Scheduled from February 9th to 15th, 2026, this prestigious tournament marks the beginning of the Indian swing of the ATP Challenger Tour, followed by events in Delhi and Pune. With players from 14 countries competing for a total prize pool of USD 63,000, the stage is set for a week of high-octane tennis.
The Field: Global Talent Meets Indian Hopefuls
The 2026 edition features a diverse international field, including athletes from the UK, Canada, France, Italy, and Japan.
- The Top Seeds: Great Britain’s Jay Clarke (Ranked 178) enters as the tournament’s top seed. He is followed closely by Argentina’s Federico Agustin Gomez (Ranked 192) and Oliver Crawford (Ranked 204).
- The Indian Challenge: India’s top-ranked star Sumit Nagal (Ranked 281) leads the local charge. Joining him in the main draw via wildcards are Sasikumar Mukund, Manish Sureshkumar, and rising talent Manas Dhamne.
In 2025, France’s Kyrian Jacquet lifted the trophy in Chennai. This year, the competition remains stiff with seeded threats like Rio Noguchi (Japan) and Federico Ferreira Silva (Portugal) looking to make their mark.
Tournament Format and Prize Money
The Chennai Open features a 32-player Main Draw (21 direct acceptances, 6 qualifiers, and 3 wildcards) and a 24-player Qualifying Draw.
| Achievement | Prize Money (USD) | Prize Money (INR approx) | ATP Points |
| Singles Winner | $9,500 | ₹8,64,500 | 50 |
| Singles Runner-Up | $5,500 | ₹5,00,500 | 25 |
| Doubles Winners | $2,980 | ₹2,71,180 | 50 |
Chennai’s Tennis Legacy: 100 Years of TNTA
The TNTA celebrated its centenary in 2025, and the Chennai Open remains the crown jewel of its calendar. Since 1996, the SDAT Stadium has been a launchpad for legends.
From Leander Paes’ 1996 final run to the historic doubles titles won by Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna, Chennai has a proven track record of nurturing future champions. TNTA President Vijay Amritraj highlighted that this tournament is a cornerstone of “THE NEXT LEVEL,” a player development program aimed at propelling Tamil Nadu’s juniors onto the global stage.
Fan Information: Dates and Entry
In a boost for local sports enthusiasts, entry for spectators is free throughout the week.
- Qualifying Rounds: Sunday, Feb 8th (from 10:00 AM)
- Main Draw Starts: Monday, Feb 9th (from 10:00 AM, including night sessions)
- Doubles Finals: Saturday, Feb 14th
- Singles Finals: Sunday, Feb 15th
Tournament Partners
The 2026 edition is supported by Coromandel International (Title Sponsor), along with G Square and Lancor Holdings. Medical support is provided by Apollo Hospitals, with The Park Hotels serving as the hospitality partner and ACT Fibernet ensuring high-speed connectivity for the event.
Don’t miss the action at the SDAT Tennis Stadium this February as the next generation of tennis stars battles it out in Chennai!
