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Sunday, January 6, 2013

CHENNAI OPEN CONTRACT EXTENDED FOR THREE YEARS

The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA), IMG Reliance, operators and organizers of the Chennai Open, and IMG, owners of the tournament, today announced a three-year extension of the Chennai Open. With this extension, India and South Asia’s only ATP tour event will continue to be held in Chennai until 2016.

The prestigious tournament will be conducted with the active collaboration of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) and the Government of Tamil Nadu. The 2013 event was the 18^th edition of the tournament in India and 17^thedition in Chennai.

Speaking on the agreement M.A. Alagappan, President of Tamil Nadu Tennis Association stated: “We are delighted to announce that Tamil Nadu Tennis Association with the active support and patronage of the Tamil Nadu Government has come to an agreement with IMG Reliance to continue the tournament from 2014 to 2016. As the only ATP world tour event in South Asia, the Chennai Open provides a key opportunity for Indian players to compete with the best players in the world. We look forward to 3 more years of quality tennis in Chennai.”

Commenting on the development, Fernando Soler, Head of Tennis, IMG Worldwide said: "We are very pleased with the extension of contract with the TNTA and happy that the Chennai Open will continue to be hosted here. It has been a rewarding journey to see the tournament grow over the past 17 years in Chennai. This would have not been possible without the relentless support from the Government of Tamil Nadu, sponsors and all stakeholders.”

Ashu Jindal, COO, IMG Reliance said: "The Chennai Open is part of Chennai’s culture and we are extremely happy that TNTA and IMG Reliance have been able to keep this iconic tournament in the Mecca of tennis in India. With the extension of this contract, we will continue to utilize the Chennai Open as a platform to develop India’s tennis talent. The Chennai Open has played an important role in growing the sport of tennis in Tamil Nadu and also provides a family-friendly entertainment experience for fans in Chennai. I would like to express my gratitude to all sponsors and partners for their invaluable support of this year’s tournament.”

ABOUT CHENNAI OPEN

The USD 430,000 Chennai Open, owned by IMG and operated and organized by IMG Reliance, is India and South Asia's only ATP World Tour Open 250 event. Started in 1996, by IMG, a global leader in sports management and marketing, the tournament has completed sixteen successful years of existence, branding Chennai and India on the global tennis map thus creating a legacy of sorts of promoting international tennis in India. Winner of the prestigious ATP's Player Services Award of Excellence (2006) for its outstanding organization and wonderful hospitality towards the participants and ATP's Best Marketing Award (2008), the event has acquired the status of a much sought-after tennis event for both players and fans alike in the International tennis circuit. The 18th edition of the tournament was held from December 31, 2012 to January 6, 2013 at the SDAT Tennis stadium in Nungambakkam, Chennai. The tournament is conducted in Chennai with the active collaboration of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) and the Government of Tamil Nadu.

ABOUT IMG TENNIS

For nearly four decades, IMG Tennis has led the industry in the areas of player representation, tournament management, tour marketing, television-related initiatives, and teaching academies. The company’s rich heritage in tennis dates back to 1968 with the signing of its first tennis client, Rod Laver, by Mark H. McCormack. IMG Tennis anticipates the trends, nurtures the talent, and maximizes the opportunities for players, organizations, corporate marketers, and fans of tennis. IMG represents many top players on both the WTA and ATP Tours, along with a bevy of future stars poised to make their mark on the professional game. IMG also prides itself on representing many of the legends of the game. IMG's roster of tennis clients includes Novak Djokovic, Bjorn Borg, Lindsay Davenport, Chris Evert, Mary Joe Fernandez, John McEnroe, Rafael Nadal, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova, and Venus Williams.

ABOUT IMG RELIANCE

In 2010 Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), India's largest and most recognized private sector company, and IMG Worldwide (IMG), the world’s leading sports marketing and management company, announced the formation of an equal joint venture to develop, market and manage sports and entertainment in India. The joint venture company, IMG Reliance Pvt. Ltd., will create and operate major sports and entertainment assets in the country. In its first initiative, IMG Reliance entered into an agreement with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to create a new professional basketball league and manage all aspects of the commercial rights to the game in India. IMG Reliance signed a 15-year agreement with the AIFF, to improve, popularize and promote the game of football throughout India, from the grassroots to the professional level. IMG Reliance has also created a scholarship program to identify and train talented young Indians from sports including - basketball, soccer and tennis–at IMG’s world-class sports training facilities at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.