New Delhi: Adil Kalyanpur and Mahak Jain emerged champions in boys and girls divisions respectively in the second edition of ‘Rendez-Vous à Roland-Garros in partnership with Longines’ at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association here on Friday.
The joint initiative by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and All India Tennis Association (AITA) saw some of India’s top U-18 players in action on the newly laid clay courts at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA). Both Adil and Mahak earned their tickets to Paris where they will complete against players from Japan, South Korea, China and Brazil for a wild card entry into the Roland Garros Junior (French Open) in May 2016.
Adil and Mahak played hard tennis throughout the week and finals were no different. 16 year old Adil got past Manish Suresh kumar from Tamil Nadu in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. Manish showed some resilience but could not stop Adil from winning the title. After the prize distribution Adil said. “It was a terrific experience playing on the red clay. It was a very satisfying week and I will try and better my performance in Paris and hopefully win the wild card into the French Open.
14 year old Mahak was unstoppable in finals, she cruised past Humera Shaik in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. Humera has played impressively throughtout the week but Mahak was the better player on the day. Mahak came into tournament seeded second and she did full justice to it. An ecstatic Mahak said. " Feels really special to qualify for the finals, Hope i can make my country proud in Paris"
Mr. Sam Primaut, Director of Development- French Tennis Federation said, “It is indeed a great pleasure for the French Tennis Federation to be associated with the tournament. It was exciting to see talented youngsters from India on the red clay courts and I wish the winners best of luck for the finale in Paris. I am positive that initiative like these will help promote the clay court culture in India and hopefully more players will come out of the region. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the entire team of AITA and Longines for their constant support.”
Furthering its support to the MOU signed between AITA and FFT last year, AITA had announced wild card entry to the winners into the Delhi Open earlier this week.
Talking about the initiative, Mr. Anil Khanna, President –All India Tennis Association said. “We are very happy with the performance of our players and are delighted to extend the wild card entry in the Delhi Open to the winners. We are excited with the new clay courts at DLTA and are sure that they will play a huge role in training and development of our players. We are thankful for the constant support by FFT and hope that Rendez-Vous à Roland-Garros go from strength to strength in the years to come. I would personally like to congratulate Adil and Mahak and would like to wish them the best of luck for the grand finale in Paris and for also for the Delhi open starting tomorrow.”
FFT also announced the winners of the ‘selfie contest’ that took place at DLF Promenade. Afroz Kalapahad and Charandeep Singh won a return ticket to Paris along with an opportunity to watch the exciting semi-finals of the French Open at the hallowed Philippe-Chatrier Court.
