Rebellion with a cause

Raising concerns over its tennis aces not booming as loud as its bullish economies, Anil Khanna 8212; president, Asian Tennis Federation...

Raising concerns over its tennis aces not booming as loud as its bullish economies, Anil Khanna 8212; president, Asian Tennis Federation ATF 8212; demanded serious restructuring from the men8217;s world body ATP.

The ATF, in a letter written to ATP president Etienne de Villiers, has noted its concerns about the high concentration of tournaments in Europe and America, which makes it difficult for Asians to travel, compete and accumulate points.

Talk of rebellion was thick in the air, as Khanna announced at a press meet that the Asian body was mulling a breakaway. 8220;Because of the flawed structure of the 8216;so-called8217; world rankings by the ATP, it takes greater effort for Asians to break into the top 100. If the ATP does not change, the ATF will consider breaking away,8221; Khanna stated, adding that ATF would go ahead with an independent circuit.

The Asian body will go ahead with an Asian ranking system of its own8212;which will include events such as Asian Games8212;and has let it be known that it is marching towards readying itself for a fifth Grand Slam. 8220;Why not 8212; we are big economies?8221; Khanna said. 8220;And China8217;s pitching heavily for it anyway.8221;

The breakaway threat, considering the questionable viability of the selling power of Asia8217;s top guns, might be aimed as just that 8212; a threat 8212; and might well be used effectively as a bargaining chip. 8220;It has been discussed verbally amongst Asian nations, and we8217;ll be speaking to a lot of players during the Asian Championship. At least the ATP would know that an alternative thinking is on, and they need to move,8221; Khanna said, sounding confident.

Khanna also announced the crucial increase in the number of Challenger events in India for both men and women, though demanding alongside a 25 per cent regional representation in ATP events, increase in number of wild cards at such tournaments and allotment of 10-12 closed Challengers in Asia. While the Indian calendar for the coming year will see 16 Futures and six Challenger events, along with eight ITF junior tournaments, India will also host the Asia-Oceania Juniors event.