Hyderabad: Asserting that the Indian Tennis Players Association (ITPA) was not in competition with the AITA, its president Jaideep Mukherjee today said the body only aims at helping out players and the game at large.
"We exist to help the All India Tennis Association (AITA) out. We are not going to interfere in the selection matters and all that. That is up to the selection committee. If they ask for our help, we are always there," Mukherjee told PTI here.
"Being tennis players and ex-players, we know what is happening, we will always be there. So, this is a group working for the interest of the tennis players. Not in any selection matters, that is the prerogative of the All India Tennis Association (AITA)," he added.
He was here to visit the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy on the city outskirts where a camp for players, including Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna, is going on. The ITPA aims at lending a helping hand to senior players and others who are in need, promote junior tennis and organise off-season camps like the one currently going on at the SMTA, he said.
Mukherjee said the ITPA needs funds to conduct its activities and a fund-raising event would be held in Mumbai on December 21 and 22, he said.
"We are having an event in Bombay on December 21 and 22 to raise funds. We have spoken to few people, sponsors. Our Secretary Karthi Chidambaram is also trying his best. Once, we have certain funds, we want to do three things. One, have an off-season camp every year.
"It will help our players. Secondly, have a benefit match for players. Thirdly, we will have a small circuit for the Indian players only, whereby they can make some money. Tennis, at the top level, money is pretty good. But, otherwise, players struggle. This sort of a thing will give them financial cover," he said.
The ITPA was formed in February this year to provide a better deal and say to the tennis players in the country.
