Wimbledon in a Deal with India

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 24th October 2013

Wimbledon in a Deal with India

epa03744910 Australia's Lleyton Hewitt's shadow is cast across the court as he celebrates his win over Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro during their quarter final match for the Aegon Championships at the Queen's Club in London, Britain, 14 June 2013. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Critics of the All England Club have long maintained the membership doesn’t really care about things that go on outside of London SW19, let alone abroad.

However the Wimbledon Foundation, the charitable and development arm of both the All England Club and The Championships, has announced the launch of “The Road to Wimbledon in India,” a new initiative aimed at boosting the development of junior tennis in the country.

India is the first country where Wimbledon has run an event of this kind outside the United Kingdom and a partnership has been struck with the All India Tennis Association (AITA).

So Dan Bloxham, Head Coach at the All England and architect of the much praised ‘Road to Wimbledon’ staged each weekend on the club’s grounds, will head to Delhi and Mumbai early next year to establish two National 14 and Under events.

Then the best players will win through to a Junior Masters tournament in Delhi in April 2014. The finalists there will be invited to the UK National Finals held at the All England Club, Wimbledon, in August 2014.

Bloxham will also stage a series of educational tennis clinics in Delhi and Mumbai during the January events.

Philip Brook, Chairman of the All England Club, said: “Launching ‘The Road to Wimbledon in India’ is a first for the Wimbledon Foundation and represents an exciting, imaginative and important development.

“We are greatly appreciative of the help and organization of the All India Tennis Association and we look forward both to a long and successful partnership, and to welcoming the first finalists to the lawns of the All England Club at our UK National Finals in August 2014.”

Anil Khanna, President of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) said: “It is with much pleasure that the AITA have been asked by the Wimbledon Foundation to expand The Road to Wimbledon events in our country. “We are very keen on extending the opportunities for juniors to play tennis and the direct link with Wimbledon will raise awareness of these opportunities, while at the same time young players will benefit from the educational clinics given by Dan Bloxham.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Aita, All India Tennis Association, Anil Khanna, Dan Bloxham, Tennis, Tennis News, Wimbledon