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World No. 14 Feliciano Lopez makes Aircel Chennai Open debut

After an impressive playing season, Spaniard looks to fire up 2015 at the prestigious Indian tournament

CHENNAI, 15th October 2014: World No.14 Feliciano Lopez has confirmed his participation in the 20th edition of the Aircel Chennai Open, scheduled to be played at Chennai’s SDAT Stadium from 5th to 11th January 2015. This will be the talented Spaniard’s first visit to the US $450,000 tournament, one that is India and South Asia’s only ATP World Tour tennis event and draws many of the world’s leading tennis stars.

Lopez will begin his 2015 season in Chennai after playing an impressive year of tennis where he successfully defended his AEGON International title and became the first player to reach consecutive grass-court finals prior to Wimbledon since 2001. He left a strong impression by reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon but went down valiantly to Stan Wawrinka. The Madrid native also reached the third round of the US Open for the fifth straight year, apart from defeating World No.2 Rafael Nadal at the Shanghai Rolex Masters.

The 33-year-old left-handed player has had an exciting tennis career after he turned professional in 1997, during which he won 4 career titles and reached his current career-high singles ranking of World No.14 this week. In 2005, he was the first male Spanish tennis player to reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon since 1972. He repeated the feat in 2008 and 2011. Lopez is known as an exceptionally strong grass court player, with 3 quarterfinal runs at Wimbledon. He is also known for a big, strong serve and capacity to play balls repeatedly on the baseline.

Speaking about his confirmation, Feliciano Lopez said, “As South Asia’s only ATP World Tour tennis event, the Aircel Chennai Open presents a great platform to kick start the new season. I am glad to confirm my presence, look forward to playing in the city of Chennai, and begin the year on a positive note. Can’t wait to get there to play in front of my Indian fans!”
Commenting on the announcement, Mr. M.A Alagappan, President of Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) said, “We are pleased to receive confirmation from Feliciano Lopez for Aircel Chennai Open 2015. We are sure Chennai’s tennis fans will get pleasure from his presence as much as he will enjoy starting his season in India. We wish him the very best.”

Ashu Jindal, Chief Operating Officer, IMG Reliance, said, “We are delighted to know that Spain’s Feliciano Lopez will play in the 20th edition of the Aircel Chennai Open. While we welcome regulars to the tournament each year, we feel honored to receive and host new entrants as well. We trust that Feliciano will enjoy playing in front of Chennai’s tennis enthusiasts.”

The Title Sponsor for the tournament is Aircel and the event is supported by a consortium of sponsors in the Platinum and Gold category, headed by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
 
About Aircel Chennai Open 2015
The USD 450,000 Aircel Chennai Open, owned by IMG and operated and organised by IMG Reliance, is India’s and South Asia’s only ATP World Tour event. Started in 1996, by IMG, a global leader in sports management and marketing, the event has completed 20 successful years of existence, branding Chennai and India on the global tennis map thus creating a legacy of sorts of promoting international tennis in India. Winner of the prestigious ATP’s Player Services Award of Excellence (2006) for its outstanding organization and wonderful hospitality towards the participants and ATP’s Best Marketing Award (2008), the tournament has acquired the status of a much sought-after tennis event for both players and fans alike in the International tennis circuit. The 20th edition of the event in India and 19th in Chennai will be held from 5th – 11th January, 2015 at the SDAT Tennis stadium in Nungambakkam, Chennai. The tournament is conducted in Chennai with the active collaboration of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA).
 
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 30 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events & Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Consulting, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; world-class partnerships with sponsors, brands and broadcasters; and marquee assets across entertainment, events and fashion. 
 
About IMG Reliance
IMG Reliance Pvt Ltd., is an equal joint venture between Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), India’s largest and most recognized private sector company, and IMG Worldwide (IMG), the world’s leading sports marketing and management company. The joint venture company will develop, market and manage sports and entertainment in India. Its current assets include India’s premier fashion event, Lakmé Fashion Week and South Asia’s only ATP World Tour event, the Aircel Chennai Open. IMG Reliance has entered agreements with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to create a new professional basketball league and manage all aspects of the commercial rights to the game in India and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), to improve, popularize and promote the game of football throughout India, from the grassroots to the professional level. IMG Reliance has also created a scholarship program to identify and train talented young Indians from sports including – basketball, soccer and tennis-at IMG’s world-class sports training facilities at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.

Update on Skipper Nabi’s injury

Mumbai, 14th October 2014: Mumbai City FC returned home on Monday with skipper Syed Rahim Nabi on board after he suffered an ankle injury in the 39th minute of the inaugural Hero Indian Super League match against Atlético de Kolkata on 12th October at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

As per the findings of the Mumbai City FC medical team, Syed Rahim Nabi has a contusion over the Left Ankle/foot due to twisting of the ankle joint. The MRI reveals that there is neither a fracture nor a ligament/Soft tissue injury. There is a suspected partial sprain of one of the ankle ligament.
Nabi is currently under a knee cast and has begun his rehabilitation with the medical team saying that he could be out for up to three weeks.