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 18th edition of the tournament in India and
17th edition 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.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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O: +91.22.42005000 (ext - 130) | F: +91.22.42005001 | M: +91.9892194965 |
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