India may lose Pune Challenger

A country which is already struggling to host enough tennis tournaments for its top men’s players could see the Pune Challenger going off the calendar next year due to additional financial burden, expected to be caused by the revamp of the ATP Challenger Tour.

The TNTA and the KSLTA are willing to the take the pinch, though.

Among the wholesale changes announced by the ATP, from 2019 the singles main draw size will increase from 32 to 48 players and the hosts will have to provide hotel accommodation to all main draw players.

It is making Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) jittery as the cost of hosting KPIT Challenger, a regular feature since 2014, will increase from Rs 1 crore to 1.5 crore.

“We are already a hosting a lot of tournaments on the ITF circuit for both men and women. We are also hosting the ATP World Tour event Maharashtra Open and one WTA event.

“Now if we have to provide accommodation to 16 extra players, we have to rethink about hosting it in 2019,” MSLTA secretary general Sunder Iyer said.

“The prize money will go up to USD 60,000 and the ATP will provide a subsidy of USD 10,000 but it looks difficult to raise more money. It will also be not good to ask government for funds since they are already supporting two big tournaments,” Iyer said.

“The rupee is already falling. One dollar is now close to 70 INR. It’s not easy to raise sponsorship money for tennis.

“So, the Challenger won't be commercially viable for us. It's a bad move, it will be a burden on organisers.”