India will prepare for their crucial Billie Jean King Cup play-offs with a Bengaluru-based national camp.
Bengaluru
The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) will host a 10-day national training camp for the Indian women’s tennis team ahead of their Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) Group G play-off matches against the Netherlands and Slovenia. The event will take place from November 14 to 16 at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru.
The Indian team — featuring Sahaja Yamalapalli (world No. 344), Shrivalli Bhamidipaty (434), Ankita Raina (457), Riya Bhatia (460), Prarthana Thombare, along with captain Vishal Uppal and coach Radhika Kanitkar — will assemble in batches starting November 4, while the visiting teams are expected to arrive from November 7 to acclimatise to the high-altitude conditions.
This marks India’s first qualification for the BJKC play-offs since 2021, and also the team’s debut in the new three-team round-robin format, which replaces the older home-and-away system. The group winner will advance to the 2026 Qualifiers, while the remaining teams will move to Group I.
India faces a formidable challenge against Slovenia, the 2003 quarterfinalists, and two-time finalists Netherlands. The ties will follow a best-of-three format, comprising two singles and one doubles match if needed. Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan (world No. 102) and the Netherlands’ Suzan Lamens (world No. 85) are expected to headline the competition.
The KSLTA is investing around Rs 2 crore for the event, which includes resurfacing courts at both KSLTA and Kanteerava Stadium for practice sessions. Tickets, priced from Rs 200, will be available online for the 7,000-seat venue.
The association also announced upcoming events — the 10th Bengaluru Open (ATP 125) in January and the KPB Trust Women’s Open (ITF W100) later that month.