After a spot of two years, the ATP Challenger tour has returned to India. Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune shall be internet hosting ATP Challenger 100 tournaments whereas Nagpur, which can host its maiden occasion, shall be an ATP Challenger 50. But, Bengaluru Open has remained a continuing within the tennis calendar, even by way of the Covid instances, courtesy of the Karnataka authorities and few corporates of Bengaluru, admitted Sunil Yajaman, Event Director and Joint Secretary of KSLTA (Karnataka State Garden Tennis Affiliation). The 2023 version will nevertheless current a new-look Bengaluru Open with the occasion now having a title sponsor in DafaNews, with a three-year deal, moreover additionally having a powerful subject in each singles and doubles. Sumit Nagal and native boy SD Prajwal Dev have been handed wild playing cards in singles whereas six others shall be motion within the qualifiers which begins from February 19 onwards. In the meantime, 2022 Wimbledon champion Max Purcell shall be main an equally aggressive doubles subject which contains Indians in Ramkumar Ramanthan, Arjun Kadhe and two all-Indian pairs.
In an unique interview with Hindustan Occasions Digital, Yajaman talks about sustaining Bengaluru Open by way of Covid, the brand new sponsorship deal and expectations type the 2023 version of the match. Listed here are excerpts…
Q) After two years of hole, ATP Challenger Tour has returned to India with 4 occasions. How massive is it for India as a tennis vacation spot as an entire?
We had an ATP Challenger final yr in Bengaluru as nicely. We had two, actually. And Bengaluru has been one which has constantly been doing this Challenger occasion for the final 5 years. However the spotlight this yr has been – we’ve Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune will all be 130,000 $ tournaments. I suppose that is the primary time it is occurring in India and can happen consecutively. Now Nagpur may also take part, making it fabulous for tennis in India.
Q) If you happen to might stress a bit on the numerous position that Bengaluru Open performs right here on condition that it was the one fixed on the calendar yr?
After we began, it was a 100,000 $ match, then elevated it to 130,000 $ and later lowered it to 125,000 $. Popping out of Covid in 2022, we had two weeks of fifty,000 $ tournaments. However now we’re again at 130,000 $. One of the best factor that has occurred is that within the first two years we had Indian winners. The Indians took a superb benefit of the Bengaluru Open and through the years it has confirmed to be an exquisite platform for Indian gamers. I hope they proceed to try this this yr.
Q) May you shed some mild on the challenges of sustaining the match throughout the Covid instances?
Effectively it undoubtedly wasn’t straightforward. The bills are large in conducting a Challenger. There’s some huge cash concerned. And there are numerous necessities from the ATP like offering hospitality to all of the gamers. However the Bengaluru Open is fortunate as a result of we get numerous help from the Karnataka authorities as a result of right here we’re projecting Bengaluru as a worldwide metropolis by way of this match.
It wasn’t straightforward to lift cash after Covid given how the scenario was. But, in 2022, once we determined to have two occasions, we received nice help not simply from the federal government, but additionally from the corporates of Bengaluru. Even health-wise there was no points with the gamers. They got here, performed and went again protected.
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Q) Bengaluru Open has discovered a brand new title sponsor in DafaNews, with a deal of three years. How did it occur and what’s the significance of it for a Challenger occasion?
Sponsorship is a very powerful factor for any occasion. After you have the cash, it’s straightforward to organise a match. It’s in all probability Dafa who approached us. We had seen them sponsor the Chennai Open and Pune Open. However we had no contact with them. We really feel they in all probability adopted the Bengaluru Open and wished to be a part of it. They approached us saying that they’d be joyful to behave as title sponsors if there was a chance. That’s how the dialogue started and we all the time welcome any company who desires to assist and help the occasion. Good factor is that they’ve dedicated themselves for the subsequent three years. With that we are able to say that the Bengaluru Open will keep for the subsequent three years.
Q) What about challenges of attracting the sport’s prime gamers?
One good factor is that what we hear from gamers who’ve participated virtually yearly is that it has been among the best organised Challenger occasions. Even many ATP occasions aren’t performed in such grand method. Phrase of mouth issues so much. Plenty of gamers love coming again to Bengaluru. And we’re blessed with a incredible metropolis and incredible stadium.
Q) Something totally different you expect this time round?
This time the sector could be very robust. Aside from the wild playing cards, no different Indians are in the primary draw which reveals the depth and power of the sector. Within the qualifiers we’ve Prajnesh (Gunneswaran) and Mukund (Sasikumar). It is going to be a deal with for the sports activities lovers in Bengaluru.
Q) Earlier than the beginning of house tournaments there may be all the time discuss round wild card entrants. We noticed Manas deservingly getting it within the Tata Open final month earlier than he went on to play in AO Juniors. This time Bengaluru has given the WC to SD Prajwal Dev
He (Prajwal) is without doubt one of the two wild playing cards. The primary was given to Sumit Nagal, who I really feel is without doubt one of the finest prospects we’ve in tennis right this moment. He simply got here out of a incredible Davis Cup tie the place he gained a match for India and likewise performed a wonderful match towards Holger Rune. Sadly, he misplaced that match. He wanted the help. We noticed he was in qualifying and the very first thing we knew was that he needs to be in the primary draw and so we introduced that first. Glad that he made the semis in Chennai Open though he misplaced in that spherical as nicely.
Second was after all, we get numerous help from the Karnataka authorities and likewise there’s a accountability of KSLTA as a state physique to advertise our very personal gamers. The most suitable choice was Prajwal as a result of he did very nicely within the recently-conducted Nationwide Video games, profitable one gold and two silvers. He deserved it and therefore earned the wild card.
Q) Lastly, Bengaluru or Karnataka as an entire has been a hub for tennis in India. How has the response been from the followers over the previous couple of years?
It has been fabulous. All through the week, we’ve nothing lower than 1000 to 2000 spectators on the stadium throughout the first two rounds and it shoots as much as 3000-4000 throughout the semis and closing. That’s large for a Challenger. This time we may also be having matches within the floodlights. The essential ones shall be performed below floodlights, beginning 4 o’clock on Courtroom 1. This shall be a particular deal with as a result of lots of people will be capable of end their work or college students will be completed with faculty or school work and are available and watch the matches. That is additionally the one Challenger occasion in India the place we’ve tickets for the final three days. It isn’t about creating wealth, however we wish the ardent tennis followers to come back to the stadium, benefit from the matches and help the occasion. The entry is nevertheless free for the primary three days.