A feast for tennis afficionadoes

Chennai, July 10 (UNI) It was an unlikely motley combination for promotion of a tennis event with a film star, a cricket commentator, Squash superstar and just one Tennis ace wielding the racquet to promote the Sunfeast Open 2007 scheduled to be held in Kolkata from September 17 to 23.

Tamil and Telugu screen sensation Trisha, Tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi, squash star Dipika Pallikal and the irrepressible cricket commentator Charu Sharma were the 'awesome foursome' who played the mixed doubles exhibition match, with the blue sea and the sun-kissed sand giving the 'centre court' the perfect backdrop.

After the match, the excited participants had lots to say.

Cineratic star Trisha was simply out of the world. It was her dream come true to play alongside Mahesh.

Dipika said though not much of a tennis player, being on the same court as Mahesh was certainly a memorable experience.

Charu bowled over the spectators with his charming candour and glib talk. ''Commentating and actually defending yourself on the court against a world-class player like Mahesh is quite a different experience,'' he said.

Mahesh had some words of praise for Dipika. He said it gave him immense pleasure to have the Indian junior squash champion with him today.

Perhaps some out of box thinking and some more promotion like this would go a long way in nuturing talents in the country.

UNI