ATP tournaments in N.America (pre-US Open) 2023

[PKBasu]

At the Newport ATP on grass, Yuki-Saketh will be seeded 4th according to the acceptance list. And Anirudh/VSP are also in the doubles main draw acceptance list.

Ramkumar and Mukund are in the list of alternates for singles qualifying. Surprisingly, RamK hasn't entered doubles (perhaps he is hoping for a wildcard, given his past performances there).

https://www.dartsrankings.com/tennis/newport

[Sanjay]

Newport is our backyard (or rather the only place we have had some success in the last 25 years)

[sameerph]

Can we not discuss it in grass tournament thread as Newport is on grass ? I am not sure any Indian will play subsequent ATP tournaments which are on hard courts. Certainly nobody in singles will be eligible. Maybe Yuki-Saki, Bops in doubles.

[Rajiv]

This(Newport) Indian Grass Court Nationals ,has been pushed up by a week, traditionally it used to be held one week after completion of Wimbledon.

But now it is scheduled immediately after Wimbledon, and will result in less number of withdrawals as many players would like to continue with grass court play as in the past with a week's break significant numbers didn't prefer going back on Grass after a break, and prepare fir US hard court season, as a result might be difficult for Mukund & Ram to get into qualies.
Let's see, fingers crossed for both of them.

[PKBasu]

Sameer, I had forgotten we had a grass tournament thread (ATP/WTA and Challengers). The players and ATP consider Newport part of the pre-US Open run, even though it is played on grass. So, this is probably the more appropriate place to discuss it. We will have a lot of Indians playing doubles in the pre-US Open ATP tournaments this year.

I think we can create a separate thread for North America Challengers, since Sumit and perhaps Mukund will be playing a lot of those, and a few Indian doubles pairs occasionally as well.

[sameerph]

Sameer, I had forgotten we had a grass tournament thread (ATP/WTA and Challengers). The players and ATP consider Newport part of the pre-US Open run, even though it is played on grass. So, this is probably the more appropriate place to discuss it. We will have a lot of Indians playing doubles in the pre-US Open ATP tournaments this year.

Ok, so let is continue here. But, if there is any tournament where only 1 Indian player/pair is playing than we can discuss in the player/pair thread.

[sameerph]

This(Newport) Indian Grass Court Nationals ,has been pushed up by a week, traditionally it used to be held one week after completion of Wimbledon.

But now it is scheduled immediately after Wimbledon, and will result in less number of withdrawals as many players would like to continue with grass court play as in the past with a week's break significant numbers didn't prefer going back on Grass after a break, and prepare fir US hard court season, as a result might be difficult for Mukund & Ram to get into qualies.
Let's see, fingers crossed for both of them.

Mukund is now only 1 out from qualies and RamK is 3 out from qualies draw. With 2 -3 days still to go, there is good chance that they will get into qualies.

But, is RamK travelling there ? Currently he is playing challenger in Europe.

[PKBasu]

Mukund and Ramkumar have both made it into the singles qualifiers for Newport. Lots of withdrawals, including Christopher Eubanks.

I'm really surprised that RamK hasn't entered the doubles; his ex-partner Margaroli is first alternate now for doubles (with some other partner).

Yuki/Saketh are now set to be seeded second in the doubles main draw! Anirudh/VSP are also in the main draw.

[Rajiv]

But, is RamK travelling there ? Currently he is playing challenger in Europe.

Yes Sameer, it is going to be USA, after some deliberations on Rhoehamton, Grass or New Port Grass.

His exit today ,to fellow Indians in Dbls, helps him to cross the Atlantic quickly and atleast get a session or two of Grass court practice before his quali round as has been playing only on Red Clay since past 5 to 8 weeks.

[Dinesh]

With a MD cut off of #246, is Newport 2023 the worst ATP 250 of all times?

[Rajiv]

What ever the cutoff , atleast be thankfull that we are still having the only remaining grass court tournament which is possible on US soil.

Atleast the tradition of Grass play is still alive in the USA albeit barely and serving that unique purpose is in itself is a great service to the Grass court surface.

Don't even mind if the cutoff is even lower as long as this iconic tournament manages to survive and keep the last link with Grass court Play.

[prasen9]

Leander's favorite tournament? And, I suppose Prakash, Rajeev Ram, Ramk, etc. also like it?

[Rajiv]

Also add Vijay Amritraj, 3 time champion..
Love this tournament and may it continue to stay alive as long Wimbledon is still around

[prasen9]

Of course! But Vijay had reached the QF multiple times of a couple of grand slam tournaments, had about 12 ATP Tour titles including a couple in Bombai, etc. So, don't know what his favorite would be. Newport was three times, so I suppose that wins But Wimbledon also launched him. So, I don't know.

[rajitghosh]

Vijay won the event in 76, 80,84. Then in 88 an ageing semi retired Vijay reached the semis. He wanted a wild card for 92. Don't know if he got it.
This is also the event where Anand Amritraj beat a young Johnny Mac in singles.
Vijay and Leander have won the doubles there.
Leander reached the singles sems of this event a couple other times.
And anyway Infosys sponsors it.
So it is truly an Indian event.