Dev-Sinha Lead Indian Charge vs Sweeny-Watanabe at Delhi Open 2026

The Delhi Open 2026 ATP Challenger event will feature a strong doubles field led by the top-seeded pair of Australia's Dane Sweeny and Japan's Seita Watanabe. The Indian challenge will be spearheaded by the highest-ranked all-Indian duo of S D Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha. DLTA President Rohit Rajpal emphasized the tournament's role in bridging Indian talent with international competition and its growing stature on the Challenger circuit. The event boasts a deep draw with several players competing in both singles and doubles, raising the overall competitive standard.

Key Points: Delhi Open 2026: Top Doubles Field Headlined by Sweeny-Watanabe

  • Top seeds Sweeny-Watanabe headline
  • Dev-Sinha lead Indian challenge
  • Strong mix of singles & doubles players
  • DLTA President highlights event's stature
2 min read

Dev-Sinha to lead Indian charge as Sweeny-Watanabe top doubles field at Delhi Open

Dane Sweeny & Seita Watanabe top the doubles draw as India's S D Prajwal Dev & Nitin Kumar Sinha lead the home challenge at the ATP Challenger event.

"The Delhi Open has established itself as one of the most competitive Challenger events in the region. - Rohit Rajpal"

New Delhi, Feb 12

Australia's Dane Sweeny and Japan's Seita Watanabe will headline a competitive doubles field at the Delhi Open 2026, set to be held at the DLTA Complex from February 16 to 22. Leading the Indian challenge will be S D Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha, the highest-ranked all-Indian duo in the main draw. Dev and Sinha will look to capitalise on familiar home conditions as they take on a seasoned international field.

The ATP Challenger event features a strong mix of established doubles specialists and singles players doubling up, adding depth and intrigue to the draw.

Sweeny and Watanabe enter as the top-ranked pair in the field with a combined team ranking of 265. Watanabe, ranked 127 in doubles, joins forces with Sweeny, who sits at 138 in singles, forming one of the most formidable combinations in the tournament.

The doubles draw also underlines the tournament's depth, with five players competing in both singles and doubles - Jay Clarke (Great Britain), Sweeny (Australia), Michael Geerts (Belgium), Daniel Michalski (Poland) and Rio Noguchi (Japan).

Seven teams have earned direct entry based on the doubles rankings, highlighting the presence of specialist combinations. In addition, Sweeny, Clarke and Michalski have gained entry into the doubles draw via their singles rankings, further strengthening the competition.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, DLTA President Rohit Rajpal emphasised the Delhi Open's growing stature on the Challenger circuit.

"The Delhi Open has established itself as one of the most competitive Challenger events in the region. It plays a crucial role in bridging Indian talent with top international competition, giving our players the advantage of competing at home while offering fans world-class tennis from close quarters," Rajpal said.

Highlighting the importance of doubles in player development, he added, "The strength of this year's doubles field reflects the tournament's rising quality. The mix of specialist doubles players and singles competitors raises the overall standard and exposes Indian players to diverse playing styles and tactical demands at the Challenger level."

The Delhi Open continues to serve as a key stop on the ATP Challenger Tour calendar, offering valuable ranking points and competitive opportunities for emerging and established players alike.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The mix of singles and doubles players is interesting. It shows how versatile athletes need to be today. Good experience for our Indian players against different styles.
P
Priya S
Exciting! But I do wish the article gave us a bit more background on our own players, Dev and Sinha. What are their recent results? Their partnership history? The focus seems a bit more on the international players.
R
Rohit P
DLTA Complex is a good venue. Hope the organizers have sorted out the court conditions and facilities this time. Last year there were some complaints about the seating. Fingers crossed for a smooth event!
K
Karthik V
Challenger events like these are the real breeding ground for future stars. More exposure against players like Sweeny and Watanabe is exactly what our guys need. All the best to the Indian duo! 💪
M
Michael C
The combined ranking of 265 for the top seeds shows this is a very accessible level. A great opportunity for an Indian pair to potentially win a title at home. The draw will be key.

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