It's only the light construction activity and constant talk of quotations that hint at a face-lift at the Cricket Club of India's tennis courts. Otherwise, it is the usual late afternoon crowd, middle-aged members and young trainees, ploughing their fare on the courts, except that the navy blue cement surface is slightly scratched dusted green and flood lights peep pout from the four corners of the enclosure.
"Asphalt base with seven-layer plexiplave cushion," Mumbai Open tennis tournament director Gaurav Natekar, informs of the newly-laid surface.
The main round of the Mumbai Open will be held on one main court and two side courts, with the matches beginning at 1700 IST.
Temporary stands, with a capacity of 3,500, are to be erected and the finishing touches for the locker room remain. But with less than a month remaining, the project, worth approximately Rs 12 crores [120 million] is almost ready for the show.
The US $380,000 Mumbai Open will commence on September 26 and has attracted an impressive field in its inaugural year. Along with popular players Mario Ancic, Carlos Moya, Tommy Robredo and Fernando Gonzalez, 2006 Australian Open semi-finalist Nicolas Kiefer and world No. 9 Radek Stepanek will be participating in the tournament. ATP's latest resident blogger Dmitry Tursunov and Greg Rusedski may also travel to Mumbai.
"It has been a big challenge for all of us," says Davis Cupper-turned-commentator Natekar, who is involved in organising a tournament of this stature for the first time.
"There were so many details to look into and we had to conform to the ATP standards. I guess the last month is going to be even more hectic with the last-minute situations."
"The toughest part was making these three courts into two. We had to level the surface and make sure everything was ready before the monsoons. I have myself played on the new courts and they look pretty good. The bounce is even and we are getting the members to play in order to iron out the problems further.
"Having been a player myself I understand the players' requirements. It has helped me strike a balance between what players' want and the administration part of it."
The dark clouds above which looked non-threatening a while ago, finally intervene and drench the area, forcing in the stewards for a full rehearsal for the contingency.
"We are hoping the rains keep out."
But what if they don't? How long will it take for play to resume after the showers?
"Once it stops raining we can get the courts ready in 45 minutes," replies Natekar, confidently.
The tickets for the event, which will be on the counter only a day or two before the matches start, are also reasonably priced to get in more tennis enthusiasts.
"We will be pricing them at around (Rs) 150-200. We want to make sure that it doesn't become a free show, but at the same time the real tennis buffs are not kept out. We will also have a discounted fare for the CCI members."
With so many big names lining-up, Natekar is confident that everything will go according to plan, and the Mumbai ATP becomes the city's showcase tennis event.
