ITF award for Pune Davis Cup tie

This was decided last week after a meeting of the Rating Panel which reviewed all the Davis Cup ties across the world between February and April.

The first-ever Maharashtra Open ATP Championship will be conducted in January 2018 at the same venue.

The Recognition and Reward (R&R) Panel of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has awarded the prestigious  'Above Group Standard Rating' to the AITA for India's Davis Cup Zone Group I 1st Round match against New Zealand conducted  by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in Balewadi sports complex tennis courts.

This was decided last week after a meeting of the Rating Panel which reviewed all the Davis Cup ties across the world between February and April.

In a communication to All India Tennis Association ( AITA ), the panel stated: "We could see that both the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association and the town of Pune relished the opportunity to host this 1st round Davis Cup tie against New Zealand, and worked hard to put on a spectator and player-friendly event which ultimately proved very successful.”

The statement added: "The panel also understood that a considerable amount of time and money was invested in the promotion of the event and also observed the efforts to involve and endorse the local community with the initiatives such as the children’s clinics with free gifts and refreshments, and transporting players in chariots to the Draw. The panel feels that  a grade of Above Group Standard was thoroughly deserved."

The decision is based on various parameters - reports and feedback from ITF Supervisors, umpires, players and the visiting nation's National Federation. AITA Secretary, Hiranmoy Chatterjee, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the entire team of MSLTA and everyone who were involved with the conduct of this tie and for earning this award. It is indeed a job very well done.  We do sincerely hope that MSLTA will keep up the good work and continue to host all the tournaments in future with same amount of zeal and enthusiasm.”

The MSLTA Secretary, Sunder Iyer, said: “The award and recognition gives us confidence and energy to promote tennis in Maharashtra with vigour and enthusiasm. I take this opportunity to express gratitude to the government of Maharashtra, AITA, MSLTA Council, Patron Mrs Amruta Fadnavis, each and every member of the organising committee  and the vendors for rock solid support."
 

The first-ever Maharashtra Open ATP Championship will be conducted by the same team in January 2018 at the same venue.