Chennai Open – The show must go on

Chennai has been hosting the Annual ATP Tennis event for the last 8 years and if corporates are reluctant to show support, the event might lose its appeal. Although the event has a glorious past it’s current form is not what the tennis enthusiasts would really adore.

Back in the days when tobacco firms were allowed to advertise, ITC came in as the sponsor and the event was called the Gold Flake Open. ITC’s Y C Deveshwar made it a point to be part of the proceedings during this period. Tata Group acted as the sponsor from 2002 to 2004 and the event was called TATA Open. Big corporates backed out from 2005 and hence the event was rechristened as Chennai Open. Tennis might not have the same fan following as cricket, but it does have some appeal. Designer labels, European fashion houses and Swiss watches are advertising heavily in some of the lifestyle and business magazines in India. It might be a good platform for these brands to be associated with the Chennai Open (as the title sponsor). Chennai is the auto hub of India and one of the biggies like Ford or Hyundai might be an ideal sponsor.

Paradorn Srichaphan posing during the photo shoot of Chennai Open 2005

I have been a spectator in two of the earlier editions of the tournament and I can definitely say that the atmosphere at the Nungambakkam stadium was quite electric. I understand that the current event has lost its sheen. The two prominent reasons being the lack of top-notch sponsors and the lack of top-notch players. Chennai Open clashes with Adelaide and Doha ATP tournaments, which offer attractive prize money. One should congratulate the TN State government and the Tamilnadu Tennis Association for putting up a brave effort in ensuring that Chennai plays host to this prestigious event every year. The authorities have somehow roped in a group of sponsors till the year 2009. The group consists of PSU banks and some Chennai-based family managed business houses. My only wish is that the authorities and the tennis enthusiasts should work together to revive this event so that it can regain atleast some of the past glory.

ATP has launched some player blog to create some buzz about the tournament. Ivan Ljubicic blogs about his experiences in Chennai. Some excerpts from his blog:

We had the opening ceremony at 4 pm. I was there with Moya, Stepanek and Srichaphan. There was a little bit of rain but it didn’t interrupt us.

Then I did some long, long interviews until 6. 15 pm with lots of newspapers and TV. Everyone was interested in my past season and my goals for the next month. India is a huge country with a lot of people and media, so I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised with all the questions. I’ve never done so many interviews at one time, but there were lots of interesting questions, so it was fine.

One thing I hadn’t thought of in India is the need to avoid putting ice in your drinks. People have said to me that you never know what type of water was used to make the ice and it could carry some health risks.

Tomorrow my wife will get out and see some of the city. The hotel is really beautiful but it’s not the real Chennai. She wants to see what everyday life in Chennai is like. I hope to be able to take a look around on Wednesday.

Driving from the Chennai airport to the hotel, one of the first things to strike you is just how chaotic the traffic is. While it’s similar to what you find in China and Croatia when you’re off the main highways, I said to my wife ‘I wonder what Americans would make of this?’ It’s hard to comprehend the volume of traffic on the road and the chaotic way people drive. Most of the time there aren’t any traffic lights or lines on the road. People just weave in and out I’m amazed there aren't more accidents.

And, picture this: It’s common to see a man driving a humble motorbike with his wife sitting sidesaddle on the back, holding an infant (or two!) in her arms. No-one is wearing a helmet!