Empty stands don’t matter: Tour supervisor

Chouquet believes the pull-out of Sania Mirza robbed this year’s event of a lot of viewers. “New tournaments need star players from the region to keep the interest growing. In Europe or America, you have a bunch of top players keeping the tournaments alive. But in Africa, where the WTA has only one event, South America and Asia, things are very different. India is important because Sania is there. You take her out and see the result here,” he said.

Globetrotting 240 days a year and with oodles of experience in handling pro tour events behind him, Chouquet thinks the organisers here in Kolkata should try to bring in more promotional activities and involve the city people more to make it big. “We had a few nice events like the buggy ride and tennis on the barge. They should rake up more innovative ideas,” he said.

“But the tournament is very young and will obviously grow bigger over the years. And if they can bring a few top players year after year, that would only help the cause. Asia is the emerging market for us. And the two events here in India are very important for us. Our title sponsor Sony Ericsson has a huge presence here.”

So forget the empty stands and the less than happy tournament sponsors, the Sunfeast Open in Kolkata is here to stay.