The recent decision by some of the leading tennis players to form a body to safeguard their professional interest will lead to irrevocable differences with the All India Tennis Association (AITA), which controls the sport in India.
The association, with former Davis Cupper and non-playing captain Jaidip Mukerjea as its interim president, and players such as Mahesh Bhupathi and Somdev Devvarman as its members, can emerge as a strong body that could threaten the very existence of the AITA.
Before the leading players, excepting Leander Paes, could form the body, the AITA had a taste of player power when the top stars refused to represent the country in the Davis Cup matches versus South Korea.
Consequently, India had to face the ignominy of losing 1-4.
The humiliating loss and the public outcry forced the AITA to open talks with the warring group to bring about a solution to the vexed issue.
Conflict
The national body, too, decided to climb down and accept some of the major demands of the players, after which they agreed to play for India in the next Davis Cup fixtures.
The player-administrator conflict in tennis is rather unique compared to such issues in other sporting disciplines. Top archers in India too have formed a players’ body but it could not cause much anxiety to the Archery Association of India, simply because the archers will need the support of the national federation in furthering their interests.
The same hold true of many Olympic disciplines, including team games.
In the case of tennis, however, the nature of the competition, the way the tournaments are organised and the role of the AITA in developing the players are far different.
The AITA’s role is generally to pick the Indian team for the Davis Cup and Federation Cup for women and to administer the sport in the best possible manner.
The AITA does not organise coaching camps or train budding tennis players. This aspect is taken care of individuals and their guardians. Until a tennis player reaches the standard of representing the country, she is on her own. Top players in international tournaments are decided on the basis of ATP points that they gain. In the case of women, it is the WTA points a player picks up by playing in international tournaments.
At the most, the AITA organises tournaments for future stars in India in order to enable the youngsters gain ranking points.
Without going into the pros and cons of the issues involved, suffice it to say that it is imperative the players and the AITA understand each other and develop the game.
Working at cross-purposes will only kill the sport.