The RK Khanna Tennis Stadium, part of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) complex, has a long and storied history with tennis in India. But the time has now turned for the arena to play host to the highly anticipated PWR DUPR India Masters, marking a new chapter in its illustrious history. Named after Raj Kumar Khanna, a former All India Tennis Association (AITA) president and India's non-playing Davis Cup captain, the stadium will now witness some of the most iconic moments in Pickleball history.
The RK Khanna Stadium was inaugurated in 1982 and has a seating capacity of nearly 5,000 fans. It also features a center court, six-match courts, and six warm-up courts, all of which have hard surfaces. The stadium has held several prestigious tennis events, including the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, 1982 Asian Games, and 2010 Commonwealth Games. Incidentally, tennis stars like Sumit Nagal began their careers at this venue, making it a breeding ground for nurturing future champs.
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Nagal's journey began at DLTA at the tender age of 10, when he was hand-holded by his mother while attending a training camp at the RK Khanna Academy. Here, his budding talent was identified by Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, who took Sumit under his wing. Sumit's rise from these courts to the international stage shows the DLTA's role in shaping tennis talent in India.
DLTA's Transition to Pickleball: Hosting the PWR DUPR India Masters
The RK Khanna Stadium's legacy in tennis is rich, but it is now making headlines for embracing Pickleball. From Thursday, the stadium will host the PWR DUPR India Masters, India's largest pickleball tournament where nearly 750 players-both professionals and amateurs-will compete, further solidifying pickleball's position as a major sport in India. This event is a key milestone for pickleball, boosting its presence on both the Indian and global sports landscapes.
The tournament will take place from 24 to 27 October 2024 at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium. It will be PWR's first fully owned and operated event following the successful launch of the PWR World Tour in July 2024 in Dubai, UAE.
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