MUMBAI: Chennai will continue to remain the home of India and South Asia?s only ATP tour event until 2016 as the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) has extended agreement by three-year?s with IMG Reliance, operators and organisers of the Chennai Open, and IMG, owners of the tournament.

The prestigious tournament will be conducted with the active collaboration of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) and the Government of Tamil Nadu. The 2013 event was the 18th edition of the tournament in India and 17th edition in Chennai.

IMG Reliance COO Ashu Jindal said, "The Chennai Open is part of Chennai?s culture and we are extremely happy that TNTA and IMG Reliance have been able to keep this iconic tournament in the Mecca of tennis in India. With the extension of this contract, we will continue to utilize the Chennai Open as a platform to develop India?s tennis talent. The Chennai Open has played an important role in growing the sport of tennis in Tamil Nadu and also provides a family-friendly entertainment experience for fans in Chennai. I would like to express my gratitude to all sponsors and partners for their invaluable support of this year?s tournament."

TNTA President M.A. Alagappan said, "We are delighted to announce that Tamil Nadu Tennis Association with the active support and patronage of the Tamil Nadu Government has come to an agreement with IMG Reliance to continue the tournament from 2014 to 2016. As the only ATP world tour event in South Asia, the Chennai Open provides a key opportunity for Indian players to compete with the best players in the world. We look forward to three more years of quality tennis in Chennai."