Former Davis Cupper Jaideep Mukherjee named President of Indian Tennis Players Association (ITPA)

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) might have brokered peace with the ‘disgruntled’ top tennis players by agreeing to some of their demands, but the players are no leaving stone unturned in lending some kind of legitimacy to the Indian Tennis Players Association (ITPA), which was formed last February.

The Indian Tennis Players Association, which was formed on February 11, named former Davis Cupper and non-playing captain Jaideep Mukherjee as its president.

Jaideep had served the country with distinction. During his heydays he won various international tournaments, upstaging big names like Arthur Ashe, Roy Emerson, Fred Stolle and John Newcombe.

He represented India in Davis Cup for 13, featuring in 97 rubbers in 43 ties. He formed a lethal combination with the likes of Ramanathan Krishnan and Premjit Lal and earned the sobriquet ‘Three Musketeers’.

The ITPA at its inaugural meeting also named current national Davis Cup team member Leander Paes as one of its three vice presidents.

Doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi, who is set to retire from the international circuit at the end of 2013 and upcoming player Somdev Devvarman were names as the other vice-presidents.

All India Tennis Association (AITA) vice president Karti Chidambaram, has been named the secretary of the Association.

Other members of the nascent body are Rohan Bopanna, Enrico Piperno, Manisha Malhotra, Prahalad Srinath, Aditya Sachdeva and Mustafa Ghouse.

The birth of ITPA happened after 11 top players, spearheaded by the likes of Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman, revolted against AITA, demanding better playing conditions.

The revolt forced India to field a depleted side in the Asia-Oceania tie against South Korea held in New Delhi,which the hosts lost tamely 1-4.

Veteran Leander Paes was the only prominent name to take part in that Davis Cup tie.

The ITPA is being constituted as a Section 25 company and is built on the premise that the existing structure of tennis administration in the country does not represent or adequately address contemporary issues faced by players in the country.

The ITPA membership is opened to all current and former international and national tennis players.

The idea behind the formation of the ITPA is to help the younger generation of tennis players. ITPA is looking at ways to conduct tournaments where Indian players can earn the moolah.

ITPA is mulling roping in a foreign coach and staging benefit matches for its ex-players to raise funds for them.

The newly-formed players association is also keen to conduct training camps for young players.

The ITPA, however, does not see itself posing a threat to the existence of AITA as it is formed for the welfare of the players.

AITA earlier agreed to enhance players` share in Davis Cup prize money, change the support staff and consult them for choice of venue and surface.

The parent body also agreed to give the players business class airfare, a six-member squad for even away ties, and agreed to consult them for the appointment of team physiotherapist.

A full-strength India pipped Indonesia in the play-off relegation tie.