The renovation work at the DLTA Complex will be complete by the end of March next year and ITF Futures tournaments will be organized in May as test events for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the All India Tennis Association said on Tuesday.
The All India Tennis Association secretary general Anil Khanna claimed that the work was being done at a good speed and there was no chance of any delay.
"The work is going on in full swing. We will have the infrastructure ready by February next year. The laying of the courts will be complete by March and we will organize ITF Futures tournaments from May 3," Khanna said after unveiling the logo of Aircel ATP Chennai Open.
There will be a $15,000 men's event and $25,000 women's event, Khanna said.
Since DLTA will become a world class facility after renovation, Khanna said there was a possibility that a tournament of the stature of Chennai Open could come to Delhi.
"It will be a fantastic facility. Something must come up."
Khanna unveiled the logo for the Chennai Open along with TNTA president MA Alagappan, Aircel chief operating officer Gurdeep Singh and AITA vice president Karti P Chidambaram.
As countdown begins for India's only ATP event, to be held from January 4-10, Khanna said there was a tight race for wild cards this time.
"After a long time we are thinking as to who should be given the wild card for Chennai Open. Earlier we had to search for Indian players but now a lot of good players are competing.
"Hopefully, Somdev (Devvarman) will further improve his ranking so that he can get a direct entry. Then wild card could be given to other promising Indian players," he said.
Australian Open junior champion Yuki Bhambri and Sanam Singh, who is making a comeback to professional circuit, are main contenders for the wild card.
Khanna was also happy with the way Indian tennis players have performed this season on the circuit.
Somdev became the first Indian player to make the final of Chennai Open in January. Yuki won the junior Australian Championship and Sania Mirza along with Mahesh Bhupathi won the mixed doubles title in Melbourne.
India also qualified for the Davis Cup World Group after a long gap of 11 years.
"2009 has been a great year for the Indian tennis. Indian domination has been great which we should be proud of," he said. |
