The annual Chennai Open ATP tennis tournament, which had doubts cast over its 2018 edition, has been cancelled.
The ATP 250 event, now rechristened 'Maharashtra Open', will be held in Pune in 2018. “We welcome the world class ATP tournament to our state,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a statement. “We are happy to host the Maharashtra Open and sure that we will take it to newer heights by bringing in an elite field every year," he added.
The Chennai Open, owned by IMG and organised by IMG-Reliance, has been held in Tamil Nadu’s state capital for the last 21 years, The Hindu has reported .
In a statement, the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) said that they received an email from IMGR cancelling the contract to conduct the event in 2018 and 2019. TNTA further said it would consult its legal counsel and take appropriate action.
Earlier in January, after the completion of Chennai Open 2017, the TNTA had informed IMGR that Aircel would no longer be the title sponsor for the ATP tournament, according to their statement.
“The TNTA had told IMGR that they should find a title sponsor for Chennai Open 2018 and TNTA would raise the balance funds with the help of the Tamil Nadu government and other local sponsors and would live up to its obligations under the contract to conduct Chennai Open till 2019,” the statement said.
