Event : ATF Asian under-14 Series Tennis Tournament propels players to the next level

Pune: It is often said that champions are identified early in their lives and Bilcare Research - ATF Asian Under-14 Series Tennis Tournament, which has been held in the city for the last four years re-emphasises this point.

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The ATF Asian Under-14 Series Tennis Tournament is a part of the Asian Junior series introduced by the Asian Tennis Federation for players all over Asia. The series is played over 20 tournaments. This year, the Asian 14/U Series Masters Final will be played at the conclusion of the Asian 14/U Series Calendar.

What the Bilcare Foundation-supported event has done for its former champions is an amazing story.

Based in Pune, Bilcare has sponsored the event ever since it came to the city, four years ago. From the outset, the company recognised the incredible contribution that could be made for the youth of India through sports. Spurring its decision to sponsor the event is the fact that tennis is one of the most popularly followed sports among Bilcare employees. With its wholehearted support, Bilcare has ensured that this tournament receives extensive participation and is one of the signature events of the Pune sporting season.

The eight (8) highest-ranked boys and girls on the Asian Junior Ranking, automatically qualify for this event after completion of the Asian 14/U Series. .

The tournament in Pune was first played at the PYC Hindu Gymkhana. In the second year it was played at the Econ tennis academy in Aundh and for the last two years it has been played at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex.

On this occasion, Mr. Mohan Bhandari, Founder of Bilcare Research and a keen tennis player himself said “We are glad to be associated with the event and happy to promote talent amongst the youth through sports.”

“We are happy that players who have played the events since the last three years are now top junior players in Asia and playing on ITF junior circuits,” he added.

In the first edition of the event Goa girl Natasha Palla who entered as the wild card, defeated Ankita Raina for the girls title. Today Palla is a top-ranked player in the Under-16 category and represents India in the Under-16 team.

Ankita Raina has gone a step ahead winning the Women’s National championship at 16 years, an achievement which gave her a place in the National FED CUP Team, where she played with the likes of Sania Mirza. 

Rohit Bisht ousted his brother Ronit Bisht for the boys’ singles title in the first year. Both the Bisht Brothers are ranked No. 1 in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories and are a part of the Indian Junior Davis Cup teams.

In the second edition of the event last year, Pune’s Arjun Kadhe thrashed Vishal Passi for the Boys crown; today Arjun is the Under-16 national champion and ranked as high as 190 in the juniors in the ITF rankings in the Under-18 category. Arjun has been selected by the ITF as member of the touring team representing Asia.

Kolkata’s Amrita Mukharjee who entered the event as a qualifier won the tournament in the third year and is ranked No. 2 in the under-16 category this year. Amrita’s win has given her so much confidence that her entire game changed and propelled Amrita to the next league, says her mother a former national level cricket player. Today, Amrita is part of the Indian team playing the junior FED Cup.

Last year’s winner T.S. Jude Raymond finished in the No.1 slot in the Boys under-14 category last year and played for the Indian under-14 Junior team, also winning the national title, along with C. Sai Samhitha who won the junior nationals last year immediately after winning the title here.

“The Bilcare ATF tennis tourney has really helped the children, the event is amazing as the children get to play at least 5 matches even if they win or lose. This helps the children to gain confidence, which is the most important thing at the age”, says Hemant Bendrey ITF Level III coach.

The winners this year, Garvit Batra and Jasmine Kaur, are already knocking on the doors of the national squad. Their victory at the Bilcare – ATF junior tennis may just propel them to the next level and keep the unviable record of champions going.