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Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008
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Vijay Amritraj inaugurates courts

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Besant Nagar Tennis Club underwent a makeover recently, and Vijay Amritraj, looking dapper as ever in a charcoal-black evening jacket, did the honours on Tuesday, inaugurating the freshly laid ultra cushion synthetic courts.

“It looks fantastic,” said Amritraj before proceeding to hit with brother Anand. “It’s special to the see the elder members of the club and the youngsters turned out. We have been fortunate to play tennis as a family, and a magnificent facility like this that brings the family together is wonderful to see. I hope this facility produces many champions.”

Amritraj then took time off to sign autographs, do a spot of charity work, and speak to the press, while son Prakash and a club trainee played Anand and Stephen Amritraj in an exhibition contest.

Amritraj refused to be drawn on the government’s recent directive that allows only Indian passport holders to represent the nation in international competitions — a decision that will prevent Prakash, an American citizen, from playing in the Davis Cup.

A critical issue

“It’s a critical issue, and there are a lot of things to it, so I don’t really want to enter into a conversation on it or offer a reaction,” he said. “It’s on Prakash’s mind because we’ve discussed this a lot, but he’s professional enough to put it behind him and concentrate on the Chennai Open. He’s completely fit for the first time in six years, and the way he’s playing, he can do some damage.”

Club secretary Nirmal Kumar said the decision to relay the clay courts with eight layers of ultra cushion was aimed at developing young talent in “world-class facilities,” simultaneously serving the needs of the recreational player.

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