New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) All India Tennis Association (AITA) secretary general Anil Khanna Monday yet again made a strong case for an exclusive Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) circuit for Asia so that the players in the region could benefit.
It is a costly affair for players from India and other Asian countries to travel to Europe to play in the tournaments that can fetch them valuable ranking points. The junior players from Asia have shown a lot of promise on international circuit. But it is important to see that they get the best opportunity to make a successful transition to the senior level.

“Our players are not able to travel to Europe while the Europeans come here and participate in tournaments and gain points. This makes it easier for them to improve their world rankings,” said Khanna here Tuesday during the logo unveiling ceremony of Aircel ATP Chennai Open 2010.

“We want to change that and give opportunity to our youngsters to improve their rankings. Somdev Devvarman is struggling to gain valuable ranking points and enter the main draw of the Australian Open next year, but if we have an Asian circuit, he would have had better luck with points.”

Khanna also said that AITA will be holding more international tournaments in the coming years.

“I want to bring at least 20 men’s and women’s tournaments to India which would include all levels of events. Something similar to what Spain did and they are producing good international players because they have a tournament in their country almost every week.”

On the Chennai Open, Khanna said he is hoping that Somdev can make the cut for the main draw.

“Last year the cut-off was somewhere around 112. If he gets in then it will make our job of awarding wild cards much easier.”

The Chennai Open this year will see the presence of French Open finalist Robin Soderling of Sweden.