Fabrice Santoro confirmed for the all-new Tata Open
October 15, 2001

Chennai: The Tata Open Tournament director, Ms. Sheila Maniam announced today that Fabrice Santoro, currently running 22nd in the ATP Champion’s Race, would participate in the tournament, which is scheduled for December 31, 2001 - January 6, 2002 in Chennai. 

The 28-year old Frenchman, who has three career singles titles and eight career doubles titles to his credit, follows a long line of top Frenchman who have come to Chennai for the tournament, including 1999 Champion Jerome Golmard and Cedric Pioline.

“Santoro is yet another stylish Frenchman who we have confirmed for the Tata Open,” said Ms. Maniam. “Fabrice is a player with a very unique style, which the fans in Chennai will find interesting and exciting,” she added.

"Last year, I started the year with a win in the first tournament of the Champion's Race in Doha, and hope to do the same next year in Chennai,” said Santoro, who was the first player to lead the ATP Champion’s Race. “I am really looking forward to playing in India, especially because I love eating Indian food,” he added.

This year, besides already winning over half-a-million in prize money, Santoro has beaten some top names in tennis including Andre Agassi, Tim Henman and Nicholas Keifer. He had an excellent run at the French Open, where he beat Greg Rusedski and Marat Safin back-to-back to reach the round of 16, before losing to Alex Corretja. Santoro is still looking for a title this year, though he came close in Halle, Germany where he beat Patrick Rafter in the semi-finals before losing the finals in three sets to Thomas Johansson, who is also confirmed for the Tata Open 2002.

The Frenchman, who idolised John McEnroe while growing up, is also an accomplished doubles player, having won the title in Marseille this year with fellow countryman Julien Boutter, who won the doubles title in Chennai in 2000 (with Cristophe Rochus).

Santoro, nicknamed “Fab”, first picked up a tennis racket at the age of 6½. From early on, he developed a two-handed backhand and forehand, a unique style he still continues to use even today. Born in Tahiti, growing up in the south of France, and currently living in London, he is an avid soccer and Formula One fan, and likes to drive fast cars. He used to own a Porsche and a Ferrari, but currently has no car, “because there is no parking in London,” smiles the Frenchman.

The Tata Open, owned and organised by IMG, is India and South Asia’s only ATP International Series event, and one of only seven in all of Asia. The Tata Open will be held in Chennai for the sixth consecutive year from December 31, 2001 - January 6, 2002. The tournament is conducted under the aegis of the All India Tennis Association and is organised with the active collaboration of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association, with assistance of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. The event has been presented the ATP Award for Excellence twice and the award for the Best Promoted Tournament in the International Group over the past four years.