Chennai: Current World Number 8, Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka, on Monday confirmed his participation in the 19th edition of the Aircel Chennai Open, India and South Asia’s only ATP World Tour tennis event, scheduled to be held at Chennai’s SDAT Stadium from December 30th 2013 to January 5th 2014. The event, one of three tournaments held in the opening week of the season, promises to give the subcontinent access to a week of scintillating tennis action, featuring some of the best names in the highly competitive world of international tennis.
Last year, Wawrinka wowed onlookers when he partnered Frenchman Benoit Paire to lift the tournament’s 2013 doubles title in a thrilling match that lasted less than an hour. The Olympic doubles gold medalist will be participating in the tournament for the sixth successive year and is looking at doing his best to start the season on a winning note like in 2011 when he captured the singles title.
The 28-year-old has had a terrific 2013, qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and giving his opponents a tough fight for the title. In his debut, the Lausanne native reached the semi-finals of the season finale and though he fell to winner Novak Djokovic, he finished the year on a high, compiling a career-best 51-23 match record on the season - including nine wins against Top 10 players.
In September 2013, Wawrinka proved his class at the US Open yet again. He reached the quarterfinals for the first time in three years after a four-set win over Tomas Berdych and followed this by defeating defending champion Andy Murray in three sets for a first Grand Slam semifinal appearance. While he experienced a five-set loss against Djokovic, Wawrinka impressed the tennis world with his confidence and proficiency.
Prominent among the 27-year-old’s greatest achievements have been winning gold for his country in the men's doubles event at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, partnering multiple Grand Slam winning compatriot Roger Federer.
He also cemented his position as one of the top ten players of the world, rising to No.10 in the Emirates ATP Rankings a few months earlier for the first time since May 2008; his semi final appearances at the US Open and Finals appearance at Madrid have been noteworthy achievements during the year.
Commenting on his presence at the tournament, Wawrinka said, “I am glad to say that Aircel Chennai Open 2014 will mark my sixth visit to Chennai to participate in a tournament I have grown to respect and love. As always, I am really looking forward to experiencing, once more, the excitement and support of the people. I still remember the exciting atmosphere during our doubles final last year. I’m looking forward to being back in that great stadium and hope to enjoy many more victories in front of my Indian fans. I congratulate the organizers for running a wonderful tournament year after year.”
M.A. Alagappan, President of Tamil Nadu Tennis Association said, “We are pleased to announce the 19th edition of the tournament in India, something which would have not been possible without the ardent support of the Government of Tamil Nadu and all our sponsors with whom we have had a warm and longstanding relationship. I would like to wholeheartedly thank the Govt of Tamil Nadu for their continued support, Aircel and all the other sponsors. Wawrinka is a player adored by fans in Chennai and we are glad to announce that he will be seen in action this year as well. He has had a fantastic playing year and we congratulate him on his stupendous performance at the ATP World Tour Finals. The Aircel Chennai Open has been growing in popularity thanks to players like him. We thank Wawrinka for this support.”
