By Our Reporter
Shillong, March 23: The MTA AITA Pro Circuit Men’s Rs 1 Lakh Tennis Tournament 2026 got underway on Monday at the Shillong Club Tennis Courts, ushering in a week of high-quality competitive tennis in the state.
Organised by the Meghalaya Tennis Association (MTA), the tournament has drawn participation from across the country, underlining the sport’s steady rise in the region.
More than 40 players featured in the qualifying rounds, with 32 securing their places in the main draw.
The event opened with a brief ceremony, where officials of the association formally declared the tournament open and welcomed the players, wishing them success for the competition ahead.
Action on the opening day lived up to expectations, with several strong performances in the men’s singles main draw. Top seed Irfan Hussain of Tamil Nadu made a commanding start to his campaign, while fellow seeded players Mayand Tewary, Nishith Naveen and Tushar Mittal also advanced comfortably.
The matches reflected a high standard of play, with a mix of dominant straight-set wins and closely contested three-set battles, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of the field.
Players representing states such as West Bengal, Assam, Delhi, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are in contention, giving the tournament a distinctly national character.
Beyond the competition, the tournament offers players a valuable opportunity to earn ranking points while also playing a key role in promoting tennis in Meghalaya and the wider Northeast.
The matches will continue over the next few days, with the tournament set to culminate in the finals later this week. Tennis fans in the city can look forward to witnessing quality action at the Shillong Club courts.
As the tournament gathers momentum, the coming days promise even fiercer contests, with players expected to raise their level in pursuit of crucial ranking points and the coveted title. For Meghalaya, events of this stature are more than just competitions—they are a reflection of the region’s growing sporting ambition and its ability to host national-level tournaments with professionalism and flair. The presence of seasoned campaigners alongside emerging talents has already added a compelling narrative to the event, one that is likely to unfold with greater intensity as the knockout stages approach. With the Shillong Club courts providing an ideal setting and enthusiastic local support adding to the atmosphere, the tournament is poised to leave a lasting impact, both in terms of sporting excellence and the continued growth of tennis in the Northeast.
