New Delhi, Nov. 1 -- The walls of the airy cafeteria at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) complex are adorned with pictures of the main show courts of the four Grand Slams: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. The courts that the cafeteria's picture windows overlook are a world apart.

As players toil in the wilting heat at the World Tennis M25 Mumbai event, which was held from 19-25 October, there are no stands, no spectators and no ball kids either as players have to chase down the yellow fuzzy orbs themselves. It is bare-bones tennis stripped of all its glamour and grandeur. It smells of sweat and survival.

"Everyone here is either losing money or just breaking even," says Indian player Sidharth...