After 21 years, Chennai Open renamed as Maharashtra Open; to be held in Pune

India's lone ATP tournament, the Chennai open is finally leaving the city after 21 years to move to Maharashtra's Pune. The tournament will no longer remain Chennai Open and would be called as Maharashtra Open.

IMG-Reliance, the right holders of the tournament along with Government of Maharashtra and Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA), announced the news on Thursday in Mumbai.

 "We look forward to similar love from Tennis fans in not just in Pune and Maharashtra but in every part of the country," IMG-Reliance's spokesperson said.

"We have created a tennis legacy and have also provided our young players the opportunities to not only play against the best but to also pick up crucial points in world ranking system," he added.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the World class ATP tournament to Maharashtra and said he will take the tournament to “newer heights.”

"We are happy to host the Maharashtra Open and sure that we will take it to newer heights by bringing in an elite field every year," CM Fadnavis said.

India’s Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi forged their formidable partnership at the Chennai Open, before they went on to conquer the world.

Stan Wawrinka and Maric Cilic, among the more notable players, also took baby steps in this event before going on to break into ATP’s elite Top 5 list.

(With agency inputs)