The fourth edition of the L&T Mumbai Open will be played at the Cricket Club of India Tennis courts next month. The qualifying round of the WTA 125K tournament starts on Saturday, while the Main Draw begins on Monday, with the finals scheduled for February 9.

The first edition of the tournament started at the same venue in 2017, with current women’s World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus winning the inaugural edition as a 19-year-old rookie. It served as a preparatory tournament for the Australian Open, allowing many tennis players, including Indians, to qualify for the event or get in the groove for the annual Grand Slam event. Thailand’s Luksika Kumkhum won the title here in 2018.

However, after the second edition, India lost its hosting rights in 2019 due to sponsorship issues and the Covid-19 pandemic delayed its return. India got back hosting rights in the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) calendar last year and has held hosting rights after putting up a good show in 2024. However, due to the packed WTA calendar, the event in CCI is now held after the Australian Open.

Tatjana Maria will be the top attraction of the tournament. The 37-year-old German player is currently ranked 73 in WTA singles and held a career-high ranking of 42 around same time last year. She reached a Wimbledon semifinal as the sixth female player in the Open Era over the age of 34 in 2022. Tatjana has won three career titles including 2023 and 2024 Copa Colsanitas WTA 250 event in Colombia on Clay. She will be aiming for her fourth career title here on the hard court.

“We bid for this event with WTA and retained the tournament after getting good rating points based on the feedback from players, coaches and other officials. The tournament serves as a stepping stone for young players and for experienced players making a comeback after injury or pregnancy it gives them a platform,” said Tournament Director, Sunder Iyer.

“Tatjana has two kids and each time she took her time during pregnancy and then came back. She won recently 100K tournament in Bengaluru and is currently playing in Singapore,” Iyer added.

Latvian 22-year-old Darja Semenistaja returns to defend the title. She is ranked 121 in WTA singles. The tournament will also see promising rookie Alexandra Eala of Philippines. The 17-year-old has been selected by legendary Rafael Nadal to train at his academy. Petra Marcinko (19), the former world junior no 1 in women’s singles is also another youngsters to look forward to in the event.

Harriet Dart of Great Britain who reached mixed doubles finals at Wimbledon in 2021, will be top draw in the doubles. She appeared for TPL 6 winning team Hyderabad Strikers at the same venue recently.

Indian challenge

Experienced Indian women’s tennis player Ankita Raina will get wild card entry into the qualifying rounds. Pune based Ankita was the main attraction from India when Sabalenka won here.

Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi is also set to get wild card entry in the qualifying event where total 16 players will vie for six slots in the main draw.

There is a great void left in Indian women’s tennis after the retirement of Sania Mirza and organisers are pinning hopes on Maaya and other wild car entrants from India to make a statement in the tournament. None of the Indian players could qualify directly for the main draw as they couldn’t fulfill the minimum requirement of 210 WTA points. Nine Indians can participate across singles and doubles categores.

“The 15-year-old has shown promised and hopefully the next star for India. She is part of Nadal Academy also,” Iyer said. Another promising youngster Vaishnavi Adkar is also set to get a wild card.