We have learnt to live without Paes: Chennai Open Organisers

Chennai Open organisers said they have learnt to live without India's most celebrated player.

His fans may be disappointed not to see Leander Paes in action at Chennai Open as he preferred Brisbane International over India’s only ATP event,but the organisers said they have learnt to live without India’s most celebrated player.

Chennai Open,starting Monday,is now India’s only ATP Tour event and it is the third time in four years that Paes has decided to skip the event.

The officials of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA),which organises the event,are not expressing their disappointment openly and are relying on a strong singles field to pull crowds to the courts.

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Speculations are rife that appearance money could be a factor in Paes’ giving a miss to the USD 450,000 doubles event in Chennai.

“As far as we are concerned we have learnt to live without Leander. In 2009 he lost in the first round. In 2007 he did not come and did not turn up for 2008 event as well. So we have learnt to live without him,” said CBN Reddy,the TNTA secretary.

Paes,winner of 10 Grand Slam titles,has said that he wants to play in Brisbane event to get used to the Australian conditions to give himself a better chance to win Australian Open men’s doubles,the only title missing from his Major tally.

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