|
The Good Earth Super Series kicked off on September 1at
the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Nungambakkam, Chennai, with the qualifying
rounds seeing 249 players from across the country. With non-stop action
taking place all of Saturday and Sunday, the stadium was agog with players,
parents, coaches and interested onlookers through the day.
With the main draw in each age category having a
restriction of 32 players, it was imperative for the qualifying round
players to play top class tennis to try and make their way into the
Super Series main draw to avail not only of the AITA ranking points, but
also the Good Earth Super Series points required to become a contender
for the fully sponsored seven weeks of training and tournament play in
Europe.
The qualifying rounds drew to a close on Monday
afternoon at noon and the Main Draw draws were immediately completed and
put up for display. The Main Draw matches soon began there after under
intensely hot and humid conditions.
The direct entries for the tournament were 24 players
in each age group (under 14 and under 16) for both boys and girls, with
the balance 8 players making their way in from the qualifying rounds.
"It is heartening to see the kind of response we have
got here in Chennai. Being the start of the Good Earth Super Series, we
are doing everything we can to create a true tennis experience that
everyone will benefit from. I can confidently state that we are poised
to go from strength to strength as we go across the country to make this
the benchmark experience for junior tennis in India. Our Players Party
on Tuesday night, the Fungama event for kids on Sunday, September 9 and
all our other activities are geared to spread tennis in a fun and
exciting manner so that the game benefits just as our sponsor brands
benefit,” said Arjun Rao, business director, Havas Sports.
The Good Earth Super Series has a line of activity
through the entire week in style. Starting with its own inimitable
Players Party on September 4, players had the experience of getting
their faces painted, bodies tattooed with temporary ink and participated
in several exciting contests at the party.
R Rangaraj
|
