Players to help tsunami victims

It's not easy to be here knowing so many people were killed very nearby Carlos Moya

Competitors at the Chennai Open in India will donate their earnings at the tournament to the tsunami victims.

The tragedy hit the area around the tennis stadium hard, with 200 people killed along the nearby Marina beach.

The ATP will give the $25,000 sanction fee for the event to Unicef, and a charity auction will be held on Sunday.

Indian Davis Cup star Leander Paes said: "I'll be playing for all those tragically killed at the Marina beach where I used to train as a boy."

Chennai is the capital of India's southern Tamil Nadu state, where nearly 15,000 people died or were rendered homeless by the tsunami.

Top seed and defending champion Carlos Moya admitted: "I was worried a bit at the beginning because I didn't know how the situation was.

"Once the ATP wanted to do the tournament, I realised there was no risk at all.

"I'm very sorry about what happened. It's not easy to be here knowing so many people were killed very nearby."

Further fund-raising events are planned throughout January as the tennis world heads to Australia for the forthcoming Australian Open.

ATP chief executive Mark Miles added: "Through our tournaments and players, we have a deep connection with Asia.

"The timing of the tournament is an opportunity for the tennis community to directly support the relief effort."