I request CM to take immediate actions to ensure that the association of the City of Chennai with the #ATPWorldTour stays alive #ChennaiOpen...

DMK working president M.K. Stalin appealed directly to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on July 20, 2017, urging swift governmental intervention to prevent the relocation of the Chennai Open tennis championship. Stalin expressed grave concern over reports that South Asia's only ATP World Tour tournament might move away from Chennai after twenty-one successful consecutive editions, which would severely damage the city's standing on the international sporting map.

The opposition leader recalled that the tournament had been nurtured into a marquee global sporting event through proactive government sponsorship and institutional backing during DMK administrations. Hosting legendary international players inspired generations of young Tamil Nadu athletes and built world-class tennis infrastructure at the SDAT Stadium in Nungambakkam. Stalin criticized the incumbent state dispensation for administrative sluggishness and lack of visionary sports patronage, which jeopardized Chennai's two-decade partnership with international professional tennis.

Stalin called upon the Chief Minister to hold urgent discussions with tournament organizers and provide necessary financial guarantees to retain the championship. He stressed that preserving major sporting fixtures enhances urban prestige, boosts tourism, and fosters youth athletics across the state. The DMK reaffirmed its commitment to promoting robust sports infrastructure and international sporting excellence in Tamil Nadu.