logo
Chennai Open returns to WTA calendar after three years

Chennai Open returns to WTA calendar after three years

India Gazette5 hours ago

ANI
17 Jun 2025, 01:08 GMT+10
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): The Chennai Open tennis tournament is set to return this October after a three-year hiatus, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced on Monday, as per Olympics.com.
The tournament's schedule was announced during an event in St Petersburg, USA.
Action in the main draw of Chennai Open 2025 is set to get underway from the week of October 27 on outdoor hard courts. The tournament will conclude on November 2.
'Finally, our efforts to get a major international tennis event to Chennai have borne fruit. Thanks to the strong support of the Government of Tamil Nadu and the SDAT (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu),' Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) president and Indian tennis great Vijay Amritraj said, as quoted by Olympics.com.
'The event will be broadcast on a major sports channel. I look forward to enthusiastic participation of the sporting public of Chennai in making the event a grand success,' he added.
There will be 32 players participating in the singles draw and 16 pairs will make up the doubles section.
The SDAT Nungambakkam tennis stadium in Chennai will be the venue for all matches with the eventual winners set to receive 250 ranking points that are awarded for winning the tournament.
The WTA 250 event was last held in 2022 when Czechia's Linda Fruhvirtova claimed the singles title, while Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski and Brazil's Luisa Stefani took home the doubles crown.
The upcoming Chennai Open will mark only the second edition of the professional women's tennis tournament.
Ankita Raina, one of India's top women's tennis players, received a wildcard entry in 2022 when the Chennai Open was last held. (ANI)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Harbhajan Singh tells Sarfaraz Khan 'Look at Karun Nair' as England snub deemed 'unfortunate': 'I was a bit shocked'
Harbhajan Singh tells Sarfaraz Khan 'Look at Karun Nair' as England snub deemed 'unfortunate': 'I was a bit shocked'

Hindustan Times

time30 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Harbhajan Singh tells Sarfaraz Khan 'Look at Karun Nair' as England snub deemed 'unfortunate': 'I was a bit shocked'

When the Indian team for the upcoming England Tour was announced, Sarfaraz Khan's name was a big absence from the squad roster, leaving many fans and experts surprised by the decision. Ahead of the squad announcement, many felt that he had done enough to claim a spot in the squad for the five-match Test series vs England, having made his India debut last year in a home serfies against the same side. In that series, he got half-centuries in both innings of the first Test, and then backed it up with a sensational 150 vs New Zealand at home, when other Indian batters miserably failed. Sarfaraz's ton wasn't enough as India were whitewashed 0-3 by New Zealand at home. He was also part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, but didn't get a chance to play. But for the upcoming England Tests, the BCCI selectors decided to go with the likes of Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, dropping Sarfaraz in the process. Also Read: 'This isn't school cricket, you bloody...': Yuvraj Singh faced the wrath of Steve Waugh, then started swearing⁠ Speaking to PTI, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh weighed in on Sarfaraz's exclusion from the squad for the England series, labelling it as 'very unfortunate'. 'It's very unfortunate... I was a bit shocked not seeing his name in the squad. I'm sure he will come back strong. He has got that will to make a comeback…All I can say is, don't be disheartened, you will get your due, if not today, then tomorrow…Look at Karun Nair', he said. 'He scored 300 runs against England and then never got too many opportunities. Now he is back in England with the team,' he further added. The upcoming Test series will see a new generation take over the mantle, with the appointment of Shubman Gill as the new Test skipper. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma announced Test retirements and R Ashwin quitting all formats. The only seniors left from the previous leadership are Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

FEI cancels equestrian events in India due to non-payment of dues
FEI cancels equestrian events in India due to non-payment of dues

Hans India

time39 minutes ago

  • Hans India

FEI cancels equestrian events in India due to non-payment of dues

New Delhi: In Amanpreet Singha development that will hurt the riders and the development of equestrian sport in the country, at least 24 domestic and international tournaments have been cancelled due to non-payment of dues to the world governing body, FEI, by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI). It has been learnt that EFI was supposed to pay about Rs 27 lakh to the FEI officials as remuneration and allied charges for various events held between January and March 2025. However, the federation's account stands frozen due to the infighting among the warring factions, leading to non-payments of dues, forcing FEI to take off the events from the calendar. The EFI also needs to settle accounts for unpaid salaries, various costs of tournaments hosted in the past year and other expenses running into almost two crore. 'EFI was supposed to pay remuneration to FEI officials for various Eventing, Show Jumping and Dressage events held in Delhi, Meerut, and Jaipur. However, the bank has frozen the account due to different factions within the Federation claiming operational access,' an EFI source told PTI. 'It is embarrassing and the athletes are the biggest losers here, but that is the situation. The sports ministry has been apprised of the latest infighting,' the source added. The EFI was supposed to hold its election in September 2023 but litigations delayed the polls, following which a Committee of Administrators (CoA) was appointed by the Delhi High Court on May 21, 2024. The decision was challenged and, on May 29, the court reinstated the Executive Committee of the EFI as an interim measure, keeping in mind the participation of Indian riders in the Paris Olympics. The EC, in a meeting on April 11, 2025, without the presence of court-appointed observer SY Quraishi, decided to suspend Colonel Jaiveer Singh as secretary general of the Federation. Quraishi directed the EC to get the order approved from the court before its implementation. Colonel SS Ahlawat moved the court on May 5, seeking approval. However, the application was rejected on May 7 since the decision was not conforming to the law. 'The faction that removed the secretary general notified the development to FEI and also claimed the ownership of the bank account before getting the approval of the court. The bank then froze the account due to multiple stakes,' the source said. When contacted, Col. Jaiveer Singh confirmed the development.

With Alappuzha Gymkhana, Khalid Rahman reignites the sports drama free of its genre clichés
With Alappuzha Gymkhana, Khalid Rahman reignites the sports drama free of its genre clichés

Hindustan Times

time2 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

With Alappuzha Gymkhana, Khalid Rahman reignites the sports drama free of its genre clichés

For as long as I can remember, the sports drama genre in Indian Cinema has been about the underdog story. Films in this genre chart the predictable arc of a character who is initially treated as a throwaway, an extra. Then they survive, persevere, and learn the game day in and day out to ultimately become a master. There is no question about it, the protagonist will win in the end. Sure, there is nothing wrong with that story, but why do we insist on this template over and over again? Surely, not everyone is cut out for a game or destined to be a champion. Khalid Rahman's Alappuzha Gymkhana is one of those rare sports dramas that understands this very contradiction. The idea that figuring out can be a sport of its own, where there will be a mix of wins and losses. Rahman's fifth feature is a joyous, welcoming departure from the pitiless cliches of the genre of a sports film, a sort of clutter-breaker that punches the genre itself to secure the win. (Also read: Tourist Family marks the arrival of a major new voice in Abishan Jeevinth) The film sets off unassumingly, when Jojo (a charming performance from Naslen) has an incredulous idea. He convinces his gang- Shifas Ahmed (Sandeep Pradeep), Shifas 'Cheruth' Ali (Franco Francis), DJ (Baby Jean), and Shanavas (Shiva Hariharan) to get into boxing, as that can get them easily into college through the sports quota. Later, a self-taught fighter, Deepak (a scene-stealing turn from Ganapathi), also joins. Their shared conviction is what gives the film its light-hearted energy: these boys do not know much about what's in store for them in the upcoming few weeks, and are up for the demands of the game. Their earnestness is the right step in the direction. The physical training begins, and from hereon, Alappuzha Gymkhana traces the journey of these boys as they prepare for the district-level games. Rahman's control over the tone of the film is utterly refreshing here. The boys share a doggedness as a whole, but what is unmistakable is that each of them arrives at the game with their quirks and concerns. That shows in the way they enter the ring and face the opponent. Jojo is excellent at boosting the morale of his boys when needed, but is not too sure about his own game. He understands it just in time, and Rahman gracefully welcomes that wisdom. But then Cheruth shows what he is capable of in the ring, and the mood of the team suddenly shifts. Their coach (Lukman Avaran) is exacting and determined, but the film is intelligent enough not to give him a flat, unidimensional role. It is not like he can do no wrong, or that he is simply always correct about his instincts. At the end, he is just as capable of losing his calm. But Alappuzha Gymkhana is so much more than just the idea of winning. Yes, the game matters to these boys for the time being, but thank goodness this film makes it clear that this is not the end of the world. This is a film that truly gets these boys and their careless, uninhibited spirit. Rahman builds their story just with the sheer force of conviction, peppering the narrative with their idiosyncratic day-to-day practice sessions. There's a lot of love and dignity for these boys here. The film does not boast of walking over these kids with a superior sort of intelligence, and dares them to see what lies beyond the next few days. Jojo sees himself a little too clearly by the end, and that little pronouncement is no less than a win. Unlike so many other sports dramas of yore, Alappuzha Gymkhana prioritises the life-force that these boys bring to the ring and does not punish them for their somewhat naive choices. The boys lose at certain points, accept defeat, and continue to cheer on for their friends. There's no self-aggrandising on the fact that one of them won or the other lost. It is all part of the game, is it not? Just like life. The boys work as a team, and their collective bond is so much bigger and valuable than winning or losing. Alappuzha Gymkhana is one of those films that might or might not inspire a young kid to take up boxing, but it will reaffirm the idea that whatever they may take up in life at some point, they might as well give it their all. Such is life, it gives you chances and then asks one fine morning, 'Are you ready to fight for what's yours?' Alappuzha Gymkhana is available to stream on SonyLiv.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store