The IC Inter Club 2024 has been vigorously pursued by IC India. A much-needed boost for promotion of tennis and fostering friendships through the sport and was very evenly contested.
There were a total 8 Teams who participated in the IC Event.
1) Roshanara Club
2) Gurgaon Gladiators
3) SiriFort Club
4) NSCI
5) IC Club
6) Delhi Gymkhana Club
7) Friends Club
8) DGC-2
The matches were contested over the year between clubs, with all teams vying for the top four spots. Some of the ties went to the wire with many matches being decided on tie breakers.
The fixtures took place over an eight-month period and the venues were selected after discussions between the Club Captains. The format was as follows:
1. Open Age Category
2. Under 100 (combined age of the two players being under 100).
3. Over 100 ( combined age of the two players over 100).
The interesting aspect was the names of the players representing each Club for any particular tie were only disclosed prior to the commencement of matches, when the Captains exchanged slips. This kept the suspense factor in play and had all the teams speculating on their likely opponents. A lot of ‘strategy’ was adopted by the various teams in compiling their combinations
The matches were played in an excellent atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie. All the host Clubs were most gracious in their hospitality. Gifts were exchanged as well. Controversial line calls were promptly resolved without a protracted argument. Some of the ties went down to the wire, perched at 1-1 with the deciding matches being decided on a 10 point tie breaker! Moreover, these exchanges helped in forming new bonds and reconnecting with old friends. Tennis played at different venues with varied opponents was good in breaking the monotony of playing with the same groups in one’s home Club. All three surfaces ( clay, hard & grass) were operational as well.
The Winning Team: Roshanara Club
IC India Team and Delhi Gymkhana Smashes
Delhi Gymkhana Aces and Friends Club team
Siri Fort Team
NSCI and The IC India team
Gurgaon Gladiators Team
The grand finale was held on the 8th of December on the pristine courts of the Delhi Gymkhana Club.
We had 6 teams participate. At the semi finals stage, Roshanara was drawn against the IC Team and Delhi Gymkhana Aces took on Friends Club.
With the Aces supported by the young and tenacious Rohan Mehra, one match was physcologically in the bag before the first ball was struck. Gaurav Gupta and Arun Mehra played some very consistent tennis to win their encounter against Friends club, As the tie was already won, the Aces conceded the third match. For the record, the Friends Club pair were up a set (7-6) against Sanjeev Manchanda & Arjun Sawhney.
In the other semi’s it was an extremely close encounter between Roshanara and The IC. Anshul Bagai & Swarandeep Dhodi paired very well in beating Varun & Vidhu.
The Roshanar pair of Tushar Jagota & Aryan were a tad bit too strong for Rahul Khanna and Gaurang Mehta.
With the tie at 1-1, it came down to the final match between Ditta Singh & Rishi Kapur vs Sanjeev Kassal & Sharad Khattar. The former pair were down 0-3 in the first set, but were able to make a terrific comeback to win the opener 6-4. However, with Roshanara poised for an easy win at 4-1 in the second, the IC team played some scintillating tennis to make a comeback and clinch it 6-4. This brought the match to a super tiebreaker. This is where Ditta & Rishi played some error less tennis to win the breaker (10-5), and as a result take their team to the finals.
The finals was another cliffhanger with the scores as follows:
Rohan Mehra & Arvinder Chhatwal easily beat Varun & Vidhu 6-3 6-2 The senior Mr.Chhatwal played extremely well to aid Rohan in their victory.
Tushar and Aryan proved too strong in beating Sanjeev Manchanda and Arjun Sawhney 6-2 6-1.
It once again came down to the wire with Ditta & Rishi squeezing out the narrowest of victories in the super tiebreaker (10-8). To decide a tie, a final and the entire tournament on a breaker is what had everyone skip a heartbeat! It truly makes tennis and the IC Inter Club so exciting and meaningful.
Unfortunately NSCI & Sirifort were not available to play. Gurgaon Gladiators played some awesome tennis to edge out the Gymkhana Smashes for the 5th position.
The final standing for the 2024 is as follows:
1. Roshanara Club
2. Gymkhana Aces
3. Friends Club
4. IC India
5. Gurgaon Gladiators
6. Gymkhana Aces
7. Sirifort
8. NSCI.
The prize giving ceremony was well attended by the players, the committee of the Gymkhana Club and members of various clubs.. Notable amongst the special guests were India’s current Davis Cup captain, Rohit Rajpal and former Davis cupper, Jasjit Singh. Amongst all the prizes and salvers, what stood out was the Vijay
Amritraj sportsmanship award for 2024.The recipient was the legend Cdr R.I. Singh. The President, Sanjeev Kassal, spoke of his unflinching loyalty to the IC as well as the life lessons he had imparted to the youngsters. It was truly heartening to watch the ovation he received when he walked up to receive the coveted prize from Rohit Rajpal.
