Aircel Chennai Open 2013

Strong field of four Top-20 ranked players to vie for title

CHENNAI, November 19, 2012: The Aircel Chennai Open 2013 has confirmed participation from two-time Aircel Chennai Open singles champion Marin Cilic, currently ranked World Number 15, and World Number 17 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland. The Aircel Chennai Open tennis tournament is scheduled from December 31^st 2012 to January 6^th 2013 at the SDAT stadium, Chennai.

The confirmation from these two Top-20 players along with participation from World No.6 Tomas Berdych and World No.9 Janko Tipsarevic ensures that the Aircel Chennai Open 2013 will have one of the strongest player fields in the tournament’s history.

The 6’ 6” Croatian won the prestigious Aircel Chennai Open singles titles in 2009 and 2010. He was in the 2012 field as the 4th seed, but suffered a patella tendon injury which ruled him out of the Aircel Chennai Open as well as the season’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open. After recovering, the right-hander gained momentum by reaching the Munich final in April this year. In July, he captured his eighth ATP World Tour title at the ATP Vegeta Croatia Open Umag.

24-year-old Cilic, who has begun five previous seasons in Chennai, registered his career high ATP ranking of 9 on February 22, 2010 with his best-ever performance in a Grand Slam, reaching the semi-finals in the 2010 Australian Open. He won his first Chennai Open title in 2009 defeating India’s Somdev Devvarman and followed it in 2010 beating Wawrinka in the final.

Confirming his participation in the tournament, World No. 15 Marin Cilic said, “I am delighted to be back in Chennai, especially since I could not participate in last year’s event due to an injury. I have chosen to start my five previous seasons here and have had great success as a lead up to the Australian Open. It is always a pleasure to play in Chennai, a city that has grown to become a home away from home for me.”

Wawrinka, who will also be a part of this season’s draw in Chennai for the fifth straight year, is eyeing a winning start like in 2011. After a good run at the Aircel Chennai Open 2012, Wawrinka confirms his return for another shot at the title. Wawrinka's greatest achievement till date was when he won the gold medal for Switzerland in the men's doubles event in Beijing Olympics, partnering multiple Grand Slam winning compatriot Roger Federer.

Mr. Hiten Joshi, CEO of Tamil Nadu Tennis Association said, “It is a privilege to have Marin Cilic – a two-time winner of the Aircel Chennai Open singles title – back for the 2013 edition. Also it will be good to see Wawrinka back in action this year. The crowds in Chennai love and support them as if they were local boys! We look forward to watching Cilic and Wawrinka showcase their skills this year”.

Commenting on the announcement, Ashu Jindal, Chief Operating Officer, IMG Reliance said, “We are glad to confirm Marin Cilic and Stanislas Wawrinka’s participation in the tournament.  Other than being one of the world’s best tennis players, Cilic has done very well in previous editions of the tournament and feels at home playing here. Wawrinka has always been a favourite here and the crowds at the stadium have always cheered for this Top Swiss player. We are confident that Cilic and Wawrinka’s presence will give fans an excellent opportunity to enjoy some great tennis.”

The Title Sponsor for the tournament is Aircel and the event is supported by a consortium of sponsors in the Platinum and Gold category.

ABOUT AIRCEL CHENNAI OPEN 2013

The USD 450,000 Aircel Chennai Open, owned by IMG and operated and organised by IMG Reliance, is India's only and South Asia's premier ATP World Tour Open 250 event. Started in 1996, by IMG, a global leader in sports management and marketing, the tournament has completed sixteen successful years of existence, branding Chennai and India on the global tennis map thus creating a legacy of sorts of promoting international tennis in India. Winner of the prestigious ATP's Player Services Award of Excellence (2006) for its outstanding organization and wonderful hospitality towards the participants and ATP's Best Marketing Award (2008), the event has acquired the status of a much sought-after tennis event for both players and fans alike in the International tennis circuit. The 18th edition of the tournament will be held from December 31, 2012 to January 6, 2013 at the SDAT Tennis stadium in Nungambakkam, Chennai. The tournament is conducted in Chennai under the aegis of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and is organised with the active collaboration of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA).

ABOUT IMG TENNIS

For nearly four decades, IMG Tennis has led the industry in the areas of player representation, tournament management, tour marketing, television-related initiatives, and teaching academies. The company’s rich heritage in tennis dates back to 1968 with the signing of its first tennis client, Rod Laver, by Mark H. McCormack. IMG Tennis anticipates the trends, nurtures the talent, and maximizes the opportunities for players, organizations, corporate marketers, and fans of tennis. IMG represents many top players on both the WTA and ATP Tours, along with a bevy of future stars poised to make their mark on the professional game. IMG also prides itself on representing many of the legends of the game. IMG's roster of tennis clients includes Bjorn Borg, Lindsay Davenport, Chris Evert, Mary Joe Fernandez, John McEnroe, Rafael Nadal, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova, and Venus Williams.

About IMG Reliance:

In 2010 Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), India's largest and most recognized private sector company, and IMG Worldwide (IMG), the world’s leading sports marketing and management company, announced the formation of an equal joint venture to develop, market and manage sports and entertainment in India. The joint venture company, IMG Reliance Pvt. Ltd., will create and operate major sports and entertainment assets in the country.  In its first initiative, IMG Reliance entered into an agreement with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to create a new professional basketball league and manage all aspects of the commercial rights to the game in India. IMG Reliance signed a 15-year agreement with the AIFF, to improve, popularize and promote the game of football throughout India, from the grassroots to the professional level.  IMG Reliance has also created a scholarship program to identify and train talented young Indians from sports including - basketball, soccer and tennis–at IMG’s world-class sports training facilities at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.