The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : We want the event to stay in Chennai: Soler

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Thursday, Jan 03, 2008
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We want the event to stay in Chennai: Soler

K. Keerthivasan

CHENNAI: Fernando Soler, the Tournament Director of the Chennai Open, and Head of International Management Group Tennis Worldwide, while praising the efforts put in by Tamil Nadu Tennis Association and the Government for the success of the ATP international Series event in the city, suggested that the seats for spectators at the Centre court and outside courts be increased to accommodate the burgeoning interest.

In a chat with The Hindu at IMG office here on Wednesday, Soler said the discussions we have had with TNTA have been quite positive.

He further said that in view of the numerous changes that have been happening in the world of tennis where everything from prize money to basic expenses to run the tournament have increased, more efforts are needed to maintain the tournament at the current level.

The facilities should be upgraded from time to time, Soler added.

The 46-year-old former ATP player remarked that that Chennai Open being in the first swing (of the four swings) will be an ideal warm up tournament for the Australian Open.

“We want to capitalise on the changes.”

Soler said Hawk eye facility would likely to be installed in 2009.

Balu Nayar, Managing Director, IMG, explained the season ticket holders not turning up for the early rounds as a world-wide phenomenon. It happens in most of the tournaments.

With the five-year contract with TNTA coming to an end in 2009, IMG insisted we would like to be in Chennai. There is no cause for concern at all.

This despite the fact that Delhi, and other countries like Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur showing keen interest to host the event.

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