‘ CTL, IPTL NO EXHIBITION LEAGUES’
New Delhi: Organisers of the
Champions Tennis League on Tuesday emphasised that
the upcoming leagues should not be construed as
glorified exhibitions, and these initiatives may actually turn out to be the way for
ward for the sport. ATP executive chairman and
president Chris Kermode had recently termed IPTL a series of ‘ glorified exhibi
tions’. Nothing was said of the CTL
but All India Tennis Association chief Anil Khanna said he does not
agree with Kermode. “It’s serious tennis. I don’t
believe in what Kermode said. It’s wishful thinking on part of ATP. When players
like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer play, I don’t think they cheat fans ( by not
playing with intensity),” Khanna, who is also president of the Asian Tennis
Federation said. Amritraj, alongside Khanna, said the CTL was a “great alternative” to watch top tennis stars in action in six
Indian cities. “It’s a strong field. Players such as Venus Williams will travel to India for the first
time and the tennis fans have a chance to see them in action and in person,” the
60- year- old said.