WTA 250 Event a Fitting Celebration for TNTA’s Centenary Year
Chennai, March 2025: TNTA is celebrating its centenary this year 2025. Over 100 years TNTA which began as the Madras Provincial Lawn Tennis Association in 1926, has been buzzing with activity all the time promoting the sport of Tennis in the State, not only by conduct of local tournaments catering various age groups to highest level of international events in the country ATP 250 and the WTA 250. TNTA also provides grassroot coaching as well as support and training for the best talent in the state. In these years, the state has witnessed 6 Davis cup ties, 28 ATP events -21 ATP 250 events, 7 ATP Challenger events for Men and one WTA 250 event for Women , besides scores of state and national level events and national championships. TN has also seen a very special phenomenon – two families, Krishnan’s and Amritrajs who dominated Indian Tennis for almost four decades and became legendary sports icons of the country. The association has had many distinguished persons who have been Presidents, but today the association boasts of a rare privilege of having an international Tennis icon Vijay Amritraj as its President.
Tamil Nadu has had a galaxy of stars over consistent long periods who have been part of Davis cup and Billie Jean cup teams and national champions. TNTA is definitely amongst the foremost sports associations in the country. All this has been possible due to the infrastructure available and enthusiasm and support of the Government, SDAT, Sponsors, the players, the coaches, the fans and the sports educated public of TN.
Vijay Amritraj, President of TNTA was proud and excited as he announced,” Considering the background of TNTA it is but appropriate that centenary year is celebrated in a befitting manner. In addition the sports loving public here have been long awaiting to witness a top of the line event – a 250 level international event. On this historic occasion, I am privileged to inform you that there is a very strong possibility of conducting a WTA 250 event in the week of 27th October 2025 at the well maintained SDAT Tennis Stadium. The conduct of the event at Chennai has passed the tests at various levels and is now awaiting the final approval of the board of WTA.
As you maybe aware, the event is publicised through the press, social media, WTA website worldwide and telecast in over 60 countries around the world, arguably the highest range of publicity for sponsors and partners through a sports event in India. Last time in 2022, the event was put in place in a short period of time with the support of GOTN, SDAT and sponsors and partners. It was successfully completed and received high acclaim from all. Top ranked players from 20 countries around the world participated and youngster Linda Fruhvirtova of Czech Republic then 17 years old was the deserving winner.
Today we have an array of young talent amongst women who have been working with dedication to make a mark in the top international sphere. In particular I would mention the name Maaya Rajeshwari Revathy, 15 -year old from Coimbatore, who reached the semifinals of the WTA 125 event held earlier in Mumbai. I am confident this event will provide them tremendous exposure and encouragement on home turf and facilitate their climb to top of the international ranking ladder as Leandar, Mahesh, Somdev and Rohan had done in the past when they achieved their first top results in ATP 250 event held here.While the GOTN has been very encouraging to support this major top class event with prize money of USD 300000 (appr 2.55 crores), more support and sponsorship will be required to bridge the gap to take care of various expenses to make it a successful and sensational event. While we await the final approval I am confident that this support and sponsorship will be forthcoming.”
