Rising India superstar Manas Dhamne might be competing along the World No. 17 Marin Cilic and different world stars on the 5th version of Tata Open Maharashtra because the 15-year-old tennis prodigy has been given a wildcard into the singles primary draw of South Asia’s most effective ATP 250 tournament, going down on the Balewadi Stadium in Pune from December 31 to January 7.
The Pune-born teen is the present Asian Junior champion and one of the crucial youngest to clinch that identify. Dhamne has additionally been decided on for the Grand Slam Player Grant Program 2023.
“We are delighted to announce Manas Dhamne as the third wildcard. He’s a very talented player and I’m sure this tournament will help him greatly in his career. It’s not usual for Indian players to play alongside world’s top players at such a young age but that is what this tournament is known for, building India’s future and providing opportunities for Indian players. I am sure Dhamne will impress the crowd with a good show,” Prashant Sutar, Tournament Director of Tata Open Maharashtra and Chairman of Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association, commented.
“Manas Dhamne has been making rapid strides. He has a potential to be the next Indian star and we are committed to give a world-class platform to players like him, helping them bolster their growth at the international level. We have strong names this year and to play against them is going to be an exciting experience for Dhamne. I wish him the best,” stated Sunder Iyer, Joint Secretary of All India Tennis Association and Secretary of Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association.
The wildcard additionally got here as a birthday provide for Dhamne, who became 15 on Thursday. He might be making his maiden look on the ATP Tour in entrance of the house lovers in India’s greatest tennis match, which is being performed by way of the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in affiliation with the Government of Maharashtra for the 5th yr in Pune. .
In May, Dhamne seemed within the Challenger tournament in Italy and he additionally performed two ITF occasions in Tunisia previous this month. He will face the World No. 113 American Michael Mmoh within the opening spherical fit on Monday.
Besides the 2014 US Open champion Cilic, the singles box additionally contains 17 Top-100 gamers.
Meanwhile, the attracts have been additionally printed on Saturday because the top-seeded Cilic will kickstart his marketing campaign in the second one spherical together with the final version’s finalist Emil Ruusuvuori, World No. 35 Botic van de Zandschulp and World No. 43 Sebastian Baez, who all won byes within the opening spherical.
In the doubles, protecting champions Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan will play towards each and every different within the opening spherical. Bopanna will play together with van de Zandschulp whilst Ramanathan has partnered with Mexican Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela. Top-seeded pair of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury might be up towards Baez and Luis David Martinez.
The draw rite came about within the presence of Tata Open Maharashtra Treasurer Sanjay Khandare, IAS, together with Prashant Sutar, Tournament Director of Tata Open Maharashtra and Chairman of Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association, Sunder Iyer, Joint Secretary of All India Tennis Association and Secretary of Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association. Dhamne and Ruusuvuori have been additionally provide at the instance.
The prestigious match, owned by way of IMG and controlled by way of RISE Worldwide, is backed by way of Tata Motors.
The primary draw will happen from January 2 to 7.
