The ATP Chennai Open tennis tournament has come a long way. Fifteen years of overwhelming response from the fans as well as the big names in the tennis circuit are pointers to its steady rise in popularity charts. New Delhi hosted the South East Asia’s first ATP event in 1996 and Chennai became its home from the next year. In the initial editions, the tournament was conducted in April, but it was moved to the first week of January from 2000. Pleasant climatic conditions perhaps forced IMG, the organisers, to opt for a January slot. The premier tennis event had two different names — Gold Flake Open and Tata Open — before the Tamil Nadu government chipped in as a co-sponsor from 2005.
1997 — Cash’s kitbag stolen from locker room: Chennai has always been a special venue for Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. The Indian Express’ journey started here with a doubles title in 1997. The city fans enjoyed every moment of the Indian duo’s scintillating tennis. In an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Leander and Mahesh clinched their first doubles crown in Chennai with a 7-6, 7-5 win over Oleg Ogorodov and Eyal Ran. The former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash complained to the organisers that his baggage was stolen from the locker room.
1998 — The Becker mania: Boris Becker was without a shadow of doubt the hero in 1998. The German was a big hit with the Chennai crowd, who thronged the stadium to get a glimpse of the superstar. But the fans’ excitement didn’t last long as the three-time Wimbledon champion was packed off by Gerard Solves of France in the second round itself. Becker didn’t have it easy in the post-match press conference too as one TV reporter queried him on whether he had tanked the match. But the early departure of one big name paved the way for another as Australian Patrick Rafter justified his top billing by winning the title. Paes’ best singles show came that year as he reached the semifinal before losing to Rafter.
1999 — Moya’s tryst with Chennai: In 1999, Carlos Moya, then World No. 1, grabbed the headlines by entering the Chennai Open. Moya, who was the winner of the 1998 French Open, looked out of sorts in the very first round. The top seed had to dig deep to down Vladimir Voltchkov. Moya had to fly back home after he was forced to pull out of the tournament with an injured finger. Leander and Mahesh made it a three in a row in the doubles.
2000 — Kafelnikov flies in with his private jet: In the millennium edition, only a member of the Indian Express could make it to the doubles draw. Mahesh opted to stay away from the event, and Leander paired up with Byron Black. Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Frenchman Cedric Pioline were the big names in the singles draw. Top-seed Kafelnikov came to Chennai on a private aircraft before being knocked out in the first round by German Markus Hantschk who went on to claim the title.
2001 — Tabara the giant-killer: Czech Republic’s Michal Tabara served notice of his talent in the 2001 edition. Tabara was in a giant-killing spree. He upset big names including top seeds Magnus Norman and Pioline on his way to the final. Tabara bagged his maiden ATP title with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) win over Andrei Stoliatrov.
2002 — The Indian Express’ last show: Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan had to thank Vladimir Voltchkov for giving him an opportunity to play in the Chennai Open in 2002. Srichaphan’s first visit to Chennai was made possible only when Voltchkov pulled out at the last minute. The Thai hero’s meteoric rise started here as he reached the final. Though Argentine Guillermo Canas emerged the champion, it was Srichaphan who wowed all with his powerful game and humility. Meanwhile, Leander and Mahesh joined hands to bag their fourth doubles title in Chennai. It was the last time that the top Indian pair played together on Chennai soil.
2003 — Year of Thai hero: Srichaphan made 2003 his year. He attained a cult status among fans. He was the cynosure of all eyes from the time he arrived in Chennai. The icing on the cake was the second seed’s final win over Karol Kucera.
2004 — Shifting rumours and Nadal’s maiden trip: Rumours about shifting of the event to Hyderabad and Leander’s absence for the first time were the talk of the town in 2004. Leander couldn’t make it as he was recovering from a brain surgery. The state government cleared the air by announcing a sponsorship deal for five years much to the relief of Chennai tennis fans. A certain teenager named Rafael Nadal bagged his first doubles title in the company of his compatriot Tommy Robredo and Moya clinched the singles crown, making up for his earlier disappointment.
2005 — Moya hits for Tsunami:
The 2005 edition assumed a sombre note after thousands of people in coastal Tamil Nadu perished to the killer tsunami. Players cutting across nationalities pitched in with their mite to help out those who were hit hard by the disaster. Carlos Moya who successfully defended his singles title donated his entire prize money ($52, 000) to the tsunami-affected.
2006 — Ljubicic denies Moya hat-trick: Another natural calamity marked the Chennai Open 2006. Incessant rains flooded the city before the event forcing the organisers to reschedule matches including the semifinals. Ivan Ljubicic, fresh from his Davis Cup exploits, was in the spotlight. The lanky Crostian’s big serves kept the fans enthralled. Ljubicic denied Moya a hat-trick with a 7-6, 6-2 win in the final. Pat Cash was given a wildcard in the doubles. But the Australian couldn’t cash in on it as he crashed out at the first hurdle itself along with Karan Rastogi.
2007 — Malisse’s grand double:
Xavier Malisse created history by being the first to win both the singles and doubles title back to back. Malisse’s dynamism and flawless strategy helped him rule the Chennai Open Championship. He took out Koubek in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. The Belgian scored six aces in the match, and his consistent, hard hitting forehand helped him dictate points all along. He later partnered with Dick Norman to win the doubles title too. In a tough fight with Nadal and Bartalome Salva-Vidal, the Belgian pair closed the match
7-6(4), 7-6(4).
2008 — The clash of the Spanish armadas: This edition showcased some exhilarating tennis. One match in particular stood out — the semi-final clash between World No.2 Nadal and World No.17 and Chennai favourite Carlos Moya turned out to be the longest 3-set match in ATP and Chennai Open history with Nadal coming out on top with a 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory. Mikhail Youzhny clinched his 4th ATP title taming a clearly exhausted Nadal in the finals with a 6-0, 6-1 score line. The doubles final saw the Ratiwatana twins Sonchai and Sonchat, claiming their 2nd ATP title defeating Marcos Baghdatis and Marc Gicquel in a gripping 6-4, 7-5 victory.
2009 — Somdev fairytale run: The 14th edition saw an inspiring display of tennis from an Indian in the singles draw for the very first time. Wild card Somdev Devvarman beat the likes of Carlos Moya and 6’10” Ivo Karlovic before Marin Cilic ended his streak in the final. Cilic beat the Indian 6-4 7-6(3) to win his second ATP career title. Eric Butorac and Rajeev Ram clinched the doubles title, beating Jean-Claude Scherrer and Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 6-4.
2010 — Moya bids farewell: The organisers signed a new title sponsor for the event, ending speculation that the event might be taken away from the city. Much was expected from Somdev after his superb run the previous year. But the young Indian was eliminated by Janko Tipsarevic in the second round. The charismatic Serbia also dashed the hopes of former World No. 1 Carlos Moya, who bid farewell to the city before announcing his retirement from the sport at the end of the season. Cilic became only the second player to win back-to-back titles here. The tall Croat beat Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6(2) 7-6(3) in a tense final.