Vijay Amritraj Discusses Evolution of Tennis in Chennai

During a recent discussion in Chennai, Vijay Amritraj reflected on the significant changes in tennis since his retirement in 1993. The former professional player highlighted transformations in playing surfaces, equipment, and styles, as well as issues like pay parity and player injuries.

Amritraj, who engaged in a conversation with N. Ram at The Hindu's headquarters, noted that the serve-and-volley technique has largely disappeared from the game. He pointed out that modern grass courts at Wimbledon have become slower, resembling clay courts, which affects gameplay. Additionally, he mentioned the increase in player height and the weight of tennis balls, which he claims are now six times heavier than in his playing days.

Addressing the frequent injuries among current players, Amritraj attributed this to the shift towards power-driven play, which he believes compromises the gracefulness of the game. He also discussed the challenges posed by the busy tournament schedules, emphasizing the need to support lower-ranked players in ATP events.