Even at 71, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj still commands attention, as evidenced by his recent, albeit brief, appearance on the ramp during the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association’s (TNTA) centenary celebrations. Sharing the spotlight with fellow tennis stars Amina Anshba, Eden Silva, Rutuja Bhonsle, and Maria Timofeeva, as well as model and author Shvetha Jaishankar (who also produced the show), Vijay lightheartedly quipped, “I walk the ramp a lot, especially upwards… on a staircase!”
The dazzling fashion segment, presented by Titan, showcased exquisite saris from Taneira and stunning jewellery from Mia by Tanishq and Tanishq, including unique tennis-themed pieces. This elegant event, hosted at the prestigious ITC Grand Chola, also marked the unveiling of A Century of Championing Tennis in Tamil Nadu – a beautifully curated coffee table book filled with iconic images and historical reports, many sourced from The Hindu’s extensive archives. For Vijay, the evening’s most heartwarming moment was seeing the entire Krishnan family gathered, as he and Ramanathan Krishnan together sliced the celebratory cake, rekindling fond memories of their playing days.
Adding to the excitement, the Chennai Open has made a triumphant return after a three-year break. Earlier this year, the ATP Challenger 100 Men’s International Tennis Championship thrilled fans, and now the WTA 250 is currently in full swing. Leading up to its monumental 100th year, the TNTA has been diligently organizing numerous tournaments across Tamil Nadu, reaching districts, towns, and major cities alike.
“Tennis in Tamil Nadu is thriving and stands as a national leader in our efforts for the sport,” proudly states Vijay. Indeed, this vibrant state has nurtured a remarkable roster of champions, including Ramanathan Krishnan, Ramesh Krishnan, Vijay and Anand Amritraj, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman, Lakshmi Mahadevan (a former Asian champion), and Nirupama Sanjeev, who notably became the first Indian woman to secure a win in the Grand Slam open era.
While tennis continues to attract a growing number of enthusiasts, a common query arises: will the rise of newer sports like pickleball impact its popularity? Vijay offers a thoughtful perspective: “One must consider the diverse audience and age groups. My primary hope is that everyone who isn’t currently active embraces a sport. If more options are available, people have a wider choice.” He adds a word of caution about pickleball: “Pickleball is undeniably easier to learn than tennis, which demands significant hand-eye coordination. It’s a fun game, but players should remain vigilant about potential injuries.”
As the weather cleared and the WTA 250 games successfully resumed, Vijay and the dedicated team at TNTA express immense satisfaction with what has proven to be a truly fitting and memorable conclusion to the year’s centenary prelude activities.