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India can beat Holland: Vijay

By Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI MAY 3. Vijay Amritraj continues to charm people who come into contact with him. A people's man, as he would like to put it, Vijay's is a very approachable person. He is a journalist's delight, easily one of the best ambassadors tennis has produced.

Vijay, who is based in Los Angeles, was in the city on a private visit on Saturday and chose to answer a few questions. When asked of India's chances in the World Group play-off against the Netherlands in September, he said, "we belong to the World Group. I know it is going to be tough. They (Dutchmen) are certainly the favourites at home with Sjeng Schalken and Richard Krajicek. It is winnable, and it will be a good win for us."

On his son Prakash's progress, the UN Ambassador for peace said, "he has the work ethic. He has the passion for the game. I like the way he is shaping up."

On the paucity of players with potential to share Leander Paes' burden in the Davis Cup, Vijay said, "we need Leander to play either singles or doubles for some more years. We have some good players like Harsh (Mankad), (Rohan) Bopanna and Prakash. It is only a matter of time before the gap is filled," said Vijay relaxing in the lounge of Hotel Park Sheraton.

As one who was in the forefront of Britannia-Amritraj — an academy (it was wound up in April this year) which produced players of the calibre of Leander, Gaurav Natekar among others — Vijay had some suggestions for the AITA project at Gurgaon (AITA has shortlised 21 players).

"It has to be two-fold. We need to keep replenishing the pool, and updating the programmes in tune with the developments around the world."

He insisted that the commitment of the children and parents should be total, if the project at Gurgoan was to succeed. "It is imperative to pull the right strings." A good mix of administrators and coaches is the need of the hour, he added.

"Of course not," was his response when asked whether the spat Lleyton Hewitt was having with ATP was good for the sport. "It makes absolutely no sense. The answer does not lie in making it divisive." Vijay was the President of the ATP from 1989-95.

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