With East Asian doors shut, Indians fan out wide

On the look out: The Indian tennis players have had to rejig their schedules in the wake of COVID-19 . (Source: K. Murali Kumar)

The East Asian ATP Challenger circuit has been a happy hunting ground for Indians. Yuki Bhambri and Prajnesh Gunneswaran have won a combined seven ATP Challenger titles and all have come in India and East Asia.

However, the complete washout of tournaments in China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand for two full years because of the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a body blow. The period has coincided with India having no player in the singles top-150.