Indian tennis players slow in improving game: Amritraj

Chennai, Dec 31 (UNI) Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj today rued that the rate of improvement among young Indian tennis players is very less, compared to their European counterparts.

Talking to newspersons here, he said ''our tennis has improved a lot, but the rate of improvement is very less, compared to European countries.'' ''Those European guys are physically and mentally fit to improve their tennis ability to any level...Their upper as well as lower body is very strong, which keeps them fit always,'' he said.

Asked whether foreign coaches would contribute more to Indian tennis, Amritraj said ''not necessarily we should engage a foreign coach. We have lots of people here.'' Sounding optimistic about the future of Indian tennis, he said Indian tennis had improved a lot, compared to 20 years ago. ''We had only one big Indian open tournament those days. Now there are 52 tournaments each year.'' Amritraj pointed out that the interest level had improved a lot among youngsters in the country.

''Nowadays, kids are getting good tennis coaches and chances to go overseas for playing good tennis. Apart from this, there are lots of sponsors coming in to promote the sport,'' he said.

UNI