After 21 long years, India's only ATP 250 tournament - Chennai Open - moving to a new city in Pune has left former tennis player Vijay Amritraj disappointed, but yet the 63-year-old is pleased with the fact that the event will remain in the country.
From next year, the tournament will take place in Pune and will be called as Maharashtra Open. Vijay felt it is good for the Indian players to have the event in the home soil.
"We had it for 21 years, I was very excited about bringing it to India 21 years ago. First year we had it in Delhi, then the whole run, the fantastic run was in Chennai. Disappointed obviously when it leaves the city and it disappointing when it leaves Chennai, but I am so glad it's remained in India," said the man from Chennai, who had a career high ranking of 16 during his playing days.
"It's good for Indian players always, when an event is in the home soil, its good opportunity. It's important for the Indian players to get it on their own merit, that's the main reason. So it will be better for players to do better and work hard to be there," he told The Pioneer from Chennai.
The renowned sports commentator said the city has to relay their courts, in order to synchronize with the maiden Grand Slam of the season — Australian Open. "I don't know exactly what changes they have to make for the courts. But I know the court has to be re-laid to be more in tune with Australian Open," he quipped.
The ease of travel will also be an important factor, says Vijay. When asked whether Pune having no direct flight from the city to Melbourne, where the Australian Open will take place, will be an issue for players, Amritraj said, "It's going to take an extra flight for players."
"Obviously, the ease of travel is an important factor, the weather is also an important factor, the court is also an important factor — all these issues will play a role in the decision of a player to come and go," he said.
"From a stand point of event being run well, I think it will run very well. Pune has a culture of having Davis Cup matches and other events, so I think that will go well, the stadium is a good stadium. So it remains to be seen how much cooler it is to play in Poona (old name for Pune) which is the first issue and second issue is what the connectivity issues are and whether they can certainly make it simpler for them to get between these cities to Pune."
Since Pune has a very good sports following, Amritraj feels the support for the sport will be good in the city.
"Pune has very good sports following - it's a good culture for tennis specially. Terrific city, a lot of sports interest. So from the fan point of event, it's a good spot," he explained.
He felt it would be good if the tournament draw people from Mumbai to watch the matches. However, he felts that will also depend on the players who will be coming for the event. "I think there will be an excitement as always it will be when a new event is coming to a city. I hope it can also draw people to come from Mumbai to watch these matches. Certainly it depends on who are the field is and then if we have Indian interest, who can cause an upset, it could make a huge difference to the popularity of the event," he added.