HIGH HOPES AND SOARING SCORES

THERE is something about the Chennai Open ATP Challenger tournament.

- ASHOK VENUGOPAL

Even though it is a Challenger 100 competition, there is a certain degree of competition and there is some romance around the one of most loved sports in the city.

Right from the Krishnans (senior and junior), the Amritraj brothers, Leander Paes, Somdev Devvarman, the city has a different kind of aura when it comes to the sport. Like always, tennis brings joy. It is a platform to launch one's career as well. This year is special, too.

The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) is celebrating its centenary year.

In the last ATP Challenger here, Sumit Nagal, India's top player, won the event and went on to crack into the top hundred in world ranking, eventually reaching a career-high ranking of 68 later in the year.

TNTA, once again, hosted the Chennai Open with the professionalism they are known for. But they are yearning for bigger events as well. A top TNTA official said its chief Vijay Amritraj is working with the Tamil Nadu government to bring the ATP 250 event back to the city.