The prize money for the Fenesta National tennis championship has been doubled for this year to a total prize purse of Rs. 18 lakh.
Making the announcement in a press conference here on Friday, the Chairman and Senior Managing Director of DCM Shriram Limited, Ajay Shriram, said that the initiative was to celebrate the organisation’s long association with the game, dating back to the first edition in 1992.
Welcoming the move, the president of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), Anil Khanna, responded by announcing a wild card each to the men’s and women’s winners of the event for the Delhi Open.
Wild cardsThe runners-up in both sections, as well as the champions of the under-18 sections, will get qualifying event wild cards for the Delhi Open.
The champions of the under-16 section will get main draw wild cards for the Asian junior championship.
Anil Khanna said that the National tournament filled a big vacuum in Indian tennis. “Competition is a key factor for the growth of a player.
“Everyone looks forward to this tournament, be it the professionals or the juniors. It serves as a great platform of transition for the players.
“It really motivates them to go much higher in their tennis career,” the AITA president said. The men’s and women’s champions will now get Rs. 3 lakh each.
The prize money break-up for the tournament, scheduled to be played at the DLTA Complex from October 6, will be announced shortly.
‘‘Our attempt has been to give the budding players an opportunity to grow into the National and international level, by hosting a well-managed tournament,” said Ajay Shriram.
