The Indian Open was a men's tennis tournament founded as the India International Championships in 1923. It was played from 1923 until 1979 and the men's event was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit, 1973 to 1979. From 1947 to 1972 it was known as the Indian National Championships. It was held in various cities across India and was played outdoor on multiple surfaces.

History

Tennis was introduced to India in 1880s by British Army and Civilian Officers. In 1923 the India International Championships were established and played at the Calcutta South Club, Calcutta, West Bengal, India. In 1973, the Indian championships with international competitors diverged from the national championships. By the late 1970s the national championships was a minor event for indian born players. The international event was renamed as the Indian Open in 1973.

Locations and venues

The Calcutta South Club was founded in 1920, and also organised the Calcutta Lawn Tennis Championships.That tournament later became known as the East India Lawn Tennis Championships. Its current facilities consist of the six original grass courts, In 1985 the Club built six new clay courts, and in 2004 it added five asphalt-based rubberized hard courts. After the war until the start of the open era, the India International Championships were predominantly staged in Calcutta, under the tournament name the Indian National Championships. The event was often held over Christmas and new year and on a few occasions two events were held in a single year in January and December (sometimes winners are described as winning in a year in which an event started in late December, other times in the year the event finished in early January). In a few years, the event was also held in other cities such as New Delhi and Allahabad.

Finals

Men's singles

Men's doubles

Sources