Chance for Indians to qualify for French Open juniors

The French Tennis Federation (FFT), the organisers of the lone clay-court major, the French Open, also known as Roland Garros, and the All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Tuesday launched Rendez-Vous à Roland-Garros in India.

The initiative is aimed at boosting the development of junior tennis in India. Rendez-Vous à Roland-Garros is a junior red clay tournament which offers a wildcard for the 2015 junior French Open.

The competition will be held at the Delhi Gymkhana Club and will offer the first-of-its-kind opportunity to Indian junior players. The event provides the unique opportunity to junior Indian players to earn the wildcard for the prestigious Grand Slam event held annually in Paris.

"I welcome the recent partnership between Roland Garros and AITA. It is a real bridge between two countries which share identical passions and goals -- developing tennis on clay courts," FFT president Jean Gachassin said.

"I am truly delighted by all the opportunities offered by this cooperation, such as giving the opportunity to young Indian players to have a shot at winning a wildcard to the junior draw and set foot on the Roland Garros' red clay thanks to the Rendez-Vous à Roland-Garros operation."

AITA president Anil Khanna was also pleased about the new partnership.

"It is with much pleasure that AITA is entering into a partnership with Roland Garros and FFT. We are very keen on extending the opportunities for Indian juniors to play clay court tennis and gain the valuable opportunity of competing for a wildcard spot to the junior draw of Roland Garros through Rendez-Vous à Roland-Garros in India," said Khanna.

FFT has extended the programme to India and Brazil after the successful launch of the tournament in China last year. The tournament will first take place separately in China, India and Brazil in April.

After the first round in each country, the ultimate champions will travel to Paris and play the final stage against a Brazilian and Chinese player in order to win the wildcard.

The tournament is open to the best 16 Under-18 in India. The selection will be made based on national ranking.