Australian Open 2025

[Dinesh]

AO Asia Pacific Wildcard tournament starts this week in Chengdu, China.

Mukund and Rutuja will compete in the singles events, while we have Jeevan/VSP, Anirudh/Niki in men’s doubles.

Weaker entry list in both singles events - Shuai Zhang or Zarina Diyas should comfortably take this WC. And in the men’s side, Watanuki or Noguchi. 16 player draw, winner takes home $5000 and the prestigious WC for the first slam of the year. Each round has a prize money payout and main draw players receive hotel accommodation.

to our players!

[arjun2761]

Winning is effectively worth $85K, so that is a great prize for these players to shoot for.

[PKBasu]

I'm surprised that the top-4 Indian women aren't competing. Ankita, in particular, should have played.

[sameerph]

I'm surprised that the top-4 Indian women aren't competing. Ankita, in particular, should have played.

I guess that is because this is a winner take all type of tournaments. No ATP/WTA points, so if you do not win the title, you will only get prize money.

Btw, looks like there were some late withdrawals and Mukund is now the third seed in mens singles and Rutuja seventh seed in womens singles.

[PKBasu]

Perhaps visa issues were involved too. The line judges heavily favour Chinese players in China, which may have been another deterrent.

[PKBasu]

Big miss for Ramkumar. He should have played singles and doubles here. Saketh is forced to partner Mukund, who hardly ever plays doubles.

[PKBasu]

[R1] 3-Sasikumar Mukund (IND, 367) d. Zhang Minghui (CHN, 2005) 63 61

[PKBasu]

Two Indian pairs are seeded 1 and 2 in the men's doubles -- Jeevan/VSP are the top seeds, Anirudh/Niki are second seeds. And Saketh/Mukund are unseeded, but drawn to play the second seeds (who have a R1 bye) in the QF if they can win their R1 match.

[jayakris]

Big miss for Ramkumar. He should have played singles and doubles here. Saketh is forced to partner Mukund, who hardly ever plays doubles.

I believe RamK is getting married next week. Congrats are in order for our man. We should let the warhorse take a week off for at least that

[Atithee]

^^This is great news. He’s one guy who I feel will benefit in his tennis career after getting married. Congrats and best wishes to the couple.

[Rajiv]

^^ Yes no doubt about it , as have spoken to would be Mrs Ram a few time's and she is loving , caring and a down to earth person.

[jayakris]

^^^ Nice. We should not reveal the name of the lady, and the when/where details of the wedding, right? I still don't see any press news about his imminent wedding, so maybe we should wait...

[Atithee]

^^Yes, I was shocked to find zero SM news. Great. Someone values their own privacy. Well done, Ramkumar.

[ericcw]

Indeed. Well done and congratulations

[ericcw]