NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has ordered that the government-owned broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) will broadcast the national tennis team’s upcoming Davis Cup tie against Italy, following the grievance of parent body All India Tennis Association (AITA) over the issue last month, Press Trust of India reports.
The AITA had feared that DD may not provide the live coverage of the tie unless the judiciary intervenes since the broadcaster did not telecast major international events held in the country in the past 12 months despite their ongoing agreement lasting till January 2022. As per the agreement, DD has the exclusive rights to cover the Davis Cup matches in India and international tournaments, including Challengers and Futures.
The federation had complained that the issue caused ‘a great loss of reputation to the AITA in front of global bodies ATP (for men), WTA (for women) and ITF (governing body).’
“We had approached the Delhi High Court and now we have secured the telecast by DD. It’s an important tie for us. Not all the fans across the country came make it to the venue, so it was important that the matches are shown on TV,” AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee told PTI.
“We are making elaborate arrangements for the successful hosting of the tie,” Chatterjee added.
The match will be hosted on the grass courts of Calcutta South Club from 1-2 February.
