SM Krishna Tennis Stadium: Honouring a visionary who transformed Karnataka’s tennis landscape

Bengaluru: In a heartfelt tribute to the late SM Krishna, former Chief Minister of Karnataka and long-serving President of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), the state apex body has officially renamed the KSLTA stadium, nestled in the picturesque Cubbon Park, as SM Krishna Tennis Stadium.

This momentous occasion not only immortalized the leader’s legacy but also reinforced Karnataka’s commitment to nurturing tennis talent, with scholarships worth Rs 12 lakh awarded to 10 promising young players from the state.

The grand unveiling was led by Opposition Party Leader and KSLTA President, R Ashoka, in the esteemed presence of Prema Krishna, wife of the late SM Krishna, along with their daughters Malavika and Shambhavi.

Also gracing the occasion were Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT, BT, Science and Technology, and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Senior Vice President of KSLTA and international tennis ace Rohan Bopanna, who also serves as KSLTA Vice President, Minister Radha Krishna, Karnataka Olympic Association President Govinda Raj, and Secretary of Sports, Randeep D.

An ardent tennis enthusiast, SM Krishna’s tenure as KSLTA President from 1999 to 2019 transformed Karnataka’s tennis landscape.

His commitment to the sport saw him spearheading numerous initiatives that placed Bengaluru on the global tennis map. His leadership led to the renovation of KSLTA’s once-dilapidated clay courts into a state-of-the-art tennis stadium, making it a world-class facility in the heart of the city.

As the Life President of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) from 2015 to 2023, Krishna played a crucial role in elevating Indian tennis at both national and international levels. His visionary approach ensured that Karnataka became a premier destination for global tennis events, attracting top-tier tournaments like the Legends Tour, ATP World Doubles Championships, and the WTA Indian Open, where tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams dazzled Bengaluru’s sports enthusiasts.

Taking Tennis Beyond Bengaluru

SM Krishna believed in democratizing access to tennis, ensuring that the sport extended beyond Bengaluru to tier-2 cities and districts across Karnataka. His leadership saw ITF tournaments being held in over 12 districts, a feat unmatched by any other Indian state.

Today, Karnataka stands as a model for tennis infrastructure and international event hosting.

Reminiscing about Krishna’s passion for tennis, Prema Krishna shared, “Even during parliamentary elections, when defeat was evident, he had already donned his tennis gear to play a few rounds. His love for the sport was unparalleled.”

She urged Bengaluru’s affluent community and the IT sector to invest in tennis infrastructure, supporting young aspirants in their journey to excellence.

Addressing the gathering, R Ashoka acknowledged Krishna’s deep love for the sport, recalling, “Every time I visited his home, he would bring up Wimbledon. This stadium is a testament to his hard work. It is our honour to rename it as SM Krishna Tennis Stadium.”

He also announced a major development — a new state-of-the-art tennis complex spanning seven acres near Kempegowda International Airport, along with the establishment of the SM Krishna Memorial Tournament and the SM Krishna Memorial Scholarship, ensuring continued support for emerging tennis talent.

Tennis ace Rohan Bopanna credited Krishna’s leadership for shaping his career.

“I was 19 when the World Doubles was held in Bangalore. Watching international players here was a huge inspiration. Under Krishna sir’s leadership, tennis expanded across Karnataka, reaching over 12 districts. Today, we aim to take it to 30 districts.”

Bopanna also highlighted the challenges of international travel for young players, emphasizing the need for continued institutional support.

The inaugural SM Krishna memorial tournament

The newly named SM Krishna Tennis Stadium will host the SM Krishna Memorial Tournament – ITF Men’s M25 event, featuring a prize pool of USD 30,000 from April 1 to April 6, 2025.

Qualifying rounds will take place on March 30 and 31, with the main draw commencing on April 1.