‘ CTL, IPTL NO EXHIBITION LEAGUES’

New Delhi: Organisers of the

Champions Tennis League on Tuesday emphasised that

the upcoming leagues should not be construed as

glorified exhibitions, and these initiatives may actually turn out to be the way for

ward for the sport. ATP executive chairman and

president Chris Kermode had recently termed IPTL a series of ‘ glorified exhibi

tions’. Nothing was said of the CTL

but All India Tennis Association chief Anil Khanna said he does not

agree with Kermode. “It’s serious tennis. I don’t

believe in what Kermode said. It’s wishful thinking on part of ATP. When players

like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer play, I don’t think they cheat fans ( by not

playing with intensity),” Khanna, who is also president of the Asian Tennis

Federation said. Amritraj, alongside Khanna, said the CTL was a “great alternative” to watch top tennis stars in action in six

Indian cities. “It’s a strong field. Players such as Venus Williams will travel to India for the first

time and the tennis fans have a chance to see them in action and in person,” the

60- year- old said.