Latest news with #Amritraj
NDTV
18-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"Proud Chennai Open Is Back In TNTA's Centenary Year," Says Tennis Legend Vijay Amritraj
Indian tennis legend and Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) President Vijay Amritraj has announced the return of the Chennai Open International Women's Tennis Championship after a three-year hiatus. In an exclusive interview to NDTV's Tamil Nadu Brief weekend edition, Amritraj called it a proud moment as the tournament coincides with the centenary year of TNTA. With a budget of Rs 12 crore and a prize purse of Rs 2.4 crore, the upcoming WTA 250 event is expected to host around 60 players from the world's top 100 rankings. "The support from the Tamil Nadu government has been huge," Amritraj said, while acknowledging challenges in attracting top players due to overlapping tournaments. A tie-up with global sports agency Octagon, which holds a three-year licence for the event, is expected to help. Reflecting on Indian tennis, the 1987 Davis Cup finalist admitted that India has lost its dominance in singles, urging a renewed focus on nurturing young talent. "You don't start tennis wanting to be the best doubles player; you start dreaming of being the next Federer or Nadal," he noted, underlining the importance of early commitment and passion. Amritraj also highlighted the inspirational power of home tournaments. "Just like the ATP 250 inspired many boys, the Chennai Open will encourage young girls across India to take up tennis," he said. Several state-wide tournaments are being planned as part of TNTA's 100-year celebrations. Speaking personally, Amritraj credited his parents for his success, saying, "98% of what I achieved was their effort, especially my mother's. My tennis was entirely theirs." He encouraged young parents to introduce their children to sport and support their passion. "Tennis gave me things I never dreamt of and shaped my life in ways business never could." He also praised rising Indian player Maya Rajeshwaran Revathy, who made her debut at Wimbledon at 16, saying she has a bright future if she continues to fuel her passion and stays the course.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai Open WTA tournament from Oct 27
The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) announced on Thursday that the SDAT tennis stadium in Nungambakkam will host the second edition of the Chennai Open, a WTA 250 event, from October 27 to November 2, marking TNTA's 100th anniversary. The first edition was held in 2022. The total prize money is 275094 USD. The singles qualifying and main draws will feature 24 and 32 players respectively, and the doubles main draw 16. Top-100 players are expected to participate, said TNTA president Vijay Amritraj, speaking after the event. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated ₹12 crore for the conduct of the tournament. Amritraj said that the money will be distributed across various needs - payment of the license fee to the license-holder Octagon (a global sports management and marketing agency), stadium refurbishment, rain preparedness (rains are forecast for October), and hospitality for the players and spectators. The tournament takes place just before the WTA Finals (Nov. 1 to 8) and also clashes with the Jiangxi Open in China and the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, which are to be held on the same dates. Asked if a top-10 player can be expected to participate, he said: 'There are WTA rules that are guided by the size of the tournament. So in a 250 (tournament), you could have one player from the top-10, (and that) depends on the appearance money. 'I think Octagon is a good avenue for us as well, because they also represent a lot of players. So, hopefully, I'm expecting some help from them as well.' On the chances of Indian players getting main draw wild cards, he said: 'I think Maaya (Rajeshwaran Revathi) might be the only one who has a real good chance of getting a wild card.' On whether Chennai will continue to host the tournament every year, he said: 'The current arrangement in the contract with Octagon is three years, with the caveat that the government is happy to support it for the next two years. But WTA has only granted us operation for one year, mainly because of the rain issue.'
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
WTA Chennai Open may not be an one-off event
CHENNAI: When October comes around, Vijay Amritraj, president of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA), will look towards to the heavens to see if the rain Gods will be kind. At some level, the quantum of rainfall in and around the second edition of the WTA Chennai Open may decide whether the event returns to the city in 2026. As it stands, the 250 event for 2025 will be held at the SDAT Stadium at Nungambakkam from the week beginning October 27. They do have the option of conducting the event for two more years, at least that's according to TNTA's contract with Octagon, the company who owns the license for the event. Octagon's only condition is for the TN government to support the event for at least two years (there's not expected to be many problems with this). However, the permission granted by WTA for this particular event is currently for 2025 only. "One of the main reasons for that is the rain," said Amritraj on the sidelines of the official announcement of the tournament. For the record, the Northeast monsoon is scheduled to begin around that time. "We have already been in communication with the MET (Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai) department and they have let us know that they are expecting nine days of rain in October," Amritraj added.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
‘This is Novak Djokovic's best shot against Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner': Bold Wimbledon claim fuels final showdown buzz
Veteran Indian tennis player Vijay Amritraj believes Novak Djokovic has his best chance yet to win a 25th Grand Slam title, as he eyes a potential rematch against World No. 1 and two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. Amritraj said the clash could mirror last year's showdown and described the ongoing battle between Sinner and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz as the sport's most exciting new rivalry. Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his round of 16 match against Australia's Alex de Minaur(REUTERS) 'The best shot Djokovic has against Alcaraz and Sinner is on this surface,' JioStar Wimbledon expert Amritraj said during a media interaction. 'Most of my fellow players expect a Djokovic-Alcaraz final. Djokovic is clearly a challenger alongside Sinner and Alcaraz. These three are the frontrunners, though an upset is more likely in the Djokovic-Sinner clash than in the Alcaraz one.' Among the former Big Three, Djokovic was the last to win a Grand Slam (2023), while Roger Federer retired in 2022 and Rafael Nadal bowed out last year. With Djokovic seemingly in his final few years, Amritraj suggested the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry could define the next era. 'They've already shared the last six Grand Slam titles. That in itself proves this rivalry has legs,' Amritraj said. 'If Djokovic reaches the semis and faces Sinner, that'll be the match to watch.' When asked who between Sinner and Alcaraz might become the bigger star, Amritraj said it would depend on factors beyond talent. 'It comes down to injuries, physical conditioning, desire, and work ethic,' he explained. 'Both are only 22 and 23 and have been competing since juniors. They've made an excellent start, but consistency will depend on staying fit.' Amritraj praised Alcaraz's all-round game, calling him a complete player. 'He's got tremendous variety—great from the backcourt, strong serve, solid drop shots and lobs. He's mentally strong and moves extremely well. The question is: how long before someone can break through that defense?' At Wimbledon, Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals after a four-set win over Australia's Alex de Minaur (1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4), while Sinner moved past Grigor Dimitrov after the Bulgarian retired hurt. Alcaraz is set to face Britain's Cameron Norrie in his quarterfinal on Tuesday. In the women's draw, Amritraj highlighted the depth of competition, noting that Wimbledon has produced eight different champions in the last eight years—and will have a ninth, with defending champion Barbora Krejcikova already out. 'Among the women, it's incredibly close,' Amritraj said. 'But if I had to pick, it's still World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka who stands out.' On Indian tennis, Amritraj—who once peaked at World No. 18 and won 15 singles titles—was candid. 'We have a long way to go. If you want to be the next Federer, Nadal or Djokovic, your work ethic has to transcend everything. Until we see players in the top 100, then 50, then 20, we can't talk about Grand Slam wins,' he said bluntly.
Scroll.in
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Scroll.in
When India nearly barred Israel from a Davis Cup tie in Delhi
In March 1987, New Delhi hosted one of the most thrilling Davis Cup ties of all time. The odds were against India. It was down two matches to one against the visiting Argentines, and its ageing superstar Vijay Amritraj was facing match point in the fourth set of the fourth match against Martin Jaite, who had defeated German sensation Boris Becker a year earlier. Somehow, Amritraj, 33, mustered enough calm and strength to overcome his highly favoured 23-year-old opponent to win the fourth set 8-6 and then the fifth set and match. After that, Ramesh Krishnan took care of business, clinching India one of its most famous tennis victories and sending it into the quarterfinals. But where there should have been unqualified joy, there was some anxiety. India's next adversary was Israel. At the time, India was one of the staunchest supporters of the Palestinian cause and many Indians opposed letting Israelis take part in the Davis Cup in India. The government too was unsure. Apart from its principled political stand on the Palestinian cause and its ties with the Arab world, the administration was worried about maintaining law and order in Delhi. In the past, India had taken a principled stand even when it came at a heavy cost. In 1974, it had reached the final of the Davis Cup but forfeited the match – and ceded the trophy – to protest against its opponent South Africa's repressive Apartheid policies. Should it do the same? That was the question. Amritraj summed up India's dilemma when he told reporters: 'As soon as we beat Argentina, everybody thought there was no way [the tie against Israel] was going to be played. It was kind of disheartening. As soon as you have a big win, everybody keeps writing, 'Well, too bad. We've come up against Israel after such a great win.' All the world over, it was said 'That match won't be played.'' Amritraj, who helped the 1974 team reach the Davis Cup final, had supported the boycott of Apartheid South Africa, saying, 'It was absolutely the right decision.' But in 1987, nearing the end of his sporting career, he voiced support for India's participation. The government too switched its stand. Threatened with a $10,000 fine and a three-year suspension, it allowed Israeli players to travel to India to take part in the quarterfinals. Angry protests India had a complex relationship with Israel in its early independent years. On the one hand, it officially recognised the state of Israel in 1950, but on the other, it steadfastly refused to establish full diplomatic relations with the country. In the sporting arena, too, the boundaries could be blurry for decades. In 1962, when Indonesia barred the Jewish state, along with Taiwan, from participating in the Jakarta Asian Games, the veteran Indian sports administrator Guru Dutt Sondhi, who founded the Asian Games Federation, was among those who spoke out against the decision. He proposed that the title ' Asian Games be withdrawn from the meeting ' and added, 'I am fighting for a principle and I will uphold it even if I have to resign from sports for the rest of my life.' Sondhi's comments made him extremely unpopular in Jakarta. Angry protests broke out against him, necessitating police protection, and when the mobs attacked the Indian embassy, he was forced to flee Indonesia. Two years later, India was one of the four participating teams when Israel hosted the Asian Cup football tournament. Israel won that competition, with India finishing second. By the 1970s, though, India's position hardened. Israel was not allowed to participate in the World Table Tennis Championship in Calcutta in 1975. Six years later, it was barred when the Asian Games Federation was reorganised into the Asian Olympic Council, which meant Israel could not take part in the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi. In 1986 again, India supported not letting Israel participate in the Seoul Asian Games. And the next year, it barred Israelis from competing in the World Table Tennis Championship in New Delhi. Cold welcome It was Vijay Amritraj who swung the needle in 1987. He convinced the Rajiv Gandhi government that the $10,000 fine and three-year suspension were too high a price for India to pay and therefore the Israeli tennis team should be allowed to participate in the Davis Cup tie in Delhi. The Palestinian Liberation Organization, which represented the Palestinian people, protested India's decision. Its leader Yasser Arafat made fervent appeals to not allow the tie, but it had no effect. The Jerusalem Post claimed in July 1987 that Arafat was 'concerned that the tournament could be the first move in a thawing of the chill that has characterized Israeli-Indian relations for almost 40 years'. But this was hardly the case. India's real motivations were well known to the Israeli authorities. 'The Indians are simply afraid of the stiff punishment imposed by the Lawn Tennis Association,' Zvi Meir, director of Israel's tennis governing body, told the Associated Press. When the Israeli tennis players landed in India, they found the welcome less than warm. The players were given restricted visas that were valid for two weeks and had to practice on grass courts in Britain before coming to India. India also did not allow Israeli fans to come and watch the matches in Delhi. Even those Israelis who managed to get Indian visas were denied entry in the lead-up to the tie. Fourteen Israeli tourists who were on a tour of the Far East were forced to spend a night in the transit lounge of the Delhi airport as their visas were revoked and they were denied entry a week ahead of the match. Israel's Foreign Minister Shimon Peres called the action 'scandalous'. Another group of 13 Israelis – comprising sports journalists and fans – chose not to attend the Davis Cup as their local contact in Delhi told them that India's Foreigners Regional Registration Office was withholding landing permits for Israeli groups, pending a blanket approval from the Home Ministry. Heightened security Security was stepped up across Delhi before the Davis Cup quarterfinals. The authorities were worried about potential attacks by Palestinians as well as student protests. At a time when this was not the norm, spectators were frisked at the stadium and had to pass metal detectors. On the same weekend that India was playing the quarterfinals against Israel, the United States was playing West Germany in a relegation tie. Boris Becker complained about the 'pro-American frenzy' in Hartford, Connecticut, and how his teammates felt like 'political prisoners in a foreign court'. The Los Angeles Times compared the atmosphere in Hartford with that in India. 'Boom Boom, you should have seen New Delhi,' the newspaper said. 'At New Delhi, site of the India-Israel Davis Cup quarterfinal, there were stun guns, sub-machine guns, sharpshooters posted on buildings, and blockades at every entrance.' There was, however, no tension on the court, at least for the Indian players. India won the tie 4-0 with its players not losing even a single set. Israel was counting on Amos Mansdorf, but the 21-year-old was no match for Krishnan or Amritraj. 'They never really knew how good I could, or had, played,' Amritraj told reporters after the match. 'Anand [his brother and doubles partner] said to me, 'You are from a different generation, so the young guys don't know you.' He [Mansdorf] was probably too young to have even been a ballboy at one of my matches.' While there were protests by students in the streets of Delhi, the crowds in the stadium were pleasant. 'They never let us forget it was still a tennis match,' Amritraj said. 'Our practice was not hampered. The crowds were no different during the match.' In October, India defeated the heavily-favoured Australia in Sydney and made it to the final in Gothenburg. Unfortunately, their opponent was a strong Swedish team featuring Mats Willander and Anders Järryd. India lost the final 5-0. Meanwhile, the relations between India and Israel remained patchy. In 1988, India was scheduled to play against Israel in Israel in the relegation round of the Davis Cup but the Indian government decided to boycott the tie because of 'Israel's repression of Palestinian protests in the occupied territories'. It made the decision after at least 100 Palestinians protestors were killed by Israeli troops in 1987-'88. Despite appeals by the Israel foreign ministry, which said it was the country's 'longstanding policy' that 'sports and politics should not be mixed', India went ahead with the boycott and got relegated. It would take the country another five years to get back to the elite World Group, when a new sensation by the name of Leander Paes powered India to an unlikely semifinal run by defeating Switzerland and France. India and Israel established full diplomatic relations on January 29, 1992.
