CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association on Saturday announced a long-term agreement with former ATP player Gillermo Alcaide Justel who will work with the association as its visiting International Director for Development. Justel is presently coaching world number 35 Fernando Verdasco on the ATP Tour.

“This in one of the important steps of the CLTA on the road to nurturing champions. We look forward to Gillermo introducing the latest training methodology and processes from the men’s tour,” CLTA Founder and Patron Rajan Kashyap said.

CLTA has been focused on grooming talented youngsters from the region for over three decades. Now, the involvement with Justel  looks to amplify this commitment. “From being a tennis nursery, we are looking to enhance our facilities and graduate towards promoting excellence in the sport,” said CLTA President Jai Singh Gill.

“I am really happy to be here as I find the trainees to be really disciplined and willing to listen. They are hungry to learn and that’s the best that any coach can hope for. I am looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership,” said Justel.

The 31-year-old was ranked as high as 190 on the men’s tour and is also currently working with a host of Spanish juniors along with Verdasco. He will visit CLTA for 30 days in a year. At other times he will also continue to monitor and enhance the body’s coaching programme through a system designed specially to ensure an effective follow-up to his visits.

The tie-up with a top-notch coach enhances the cooperation between CLTA and the Madrid Tennis Federation. In consultation with its Spanish adviser Javier Sansierra, the CLTA will now not only ensure exposure trips for its trainees to Spain but is also set to emerge as a training centre for visiting Spanish players. As a part of the sporting exchange CLTA trainees will visit Spain in May, and Spanish players are expected to be hosted in Chandigarh in July.  

The tie-up with Justel comes in the wake of increasing fine performances from CLTA trainees. Over the last few weeks CLTA’s Rishabh Sharda has won three ITF level 5 singles titles, Kaavya Swahney has claimed her maiden ITF level 5 title while Krishen Hooda has made it to the under-14 boys national team. CLTA’s management feels that with the growing prowess of its players, even the coaching has to be ramped up and enhanced.