Tue Sep 23 07:41:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:
**Summary:**
The article details Chennai’s Vimalraj Jayachandran’s victory at the inaugural World Tennis Esports Championships (WTEC) in Las Vegas. Vimalraj, a former professional tennis player and Khelo India Games gold medalist, defeated players from around the globe in the virtual reality tennis tournament. He credits his years of experience playing tennis esports and a comfortable home setup for his success. The article highlights the accessibility of tennis esports, requiring only a VR headset and the relevant app, and notes the surprisingly realistic physics of the game. Vimalraj, who has transitioned to playing and coaching pickleball, also discusses his involvement in professional pickleball leagues.
**News Article:**
**Chennai’s Vimalraj Jayachandran Wins Inaugural World Tennis Esports Championship**
*Las Vegas, NV (September 23, 2025)* – Chennai’s Vimalraj Jayachandran has emerged victorious at the first-ever World Tennis Esports Championships (WTEC), held earlier this month in Las Vegas. The tournament, organized by the International Virtual Tennis Federation, saw 16 top players from across the globe, including Switzerland, France, and the USA, compete in a virtual reality tennis showdown.
Jayachandran, a seasoned tennis player with over 16 years of experience and a gold medal from the Khelo India Games 2020, represented India and secured the top spot, earning a $10,000 prize. He qualified from playing in tournaments in the US time zone, while at home in Chennai. The Chennai native is backed by India-based Esports company NoScope Gaming.
“I’m thrilled with this win,” said Jayachandran, “all of the hours I have spent playing Tennis esports over the last three years has been worth it.”
The WTEC finals featured players wearing VR headsets and using controllers to mimic real tennis actions within the game. Jayachandran emphasized the surprising realism of tennis esports. “The physics of it all is astonishingly real. You might not have to run as much, but how you move your upper body, the hip-drive shots are all the same,” he explained.
Jayachandran also highlighted the accessibility of the sport, requiring only a VR headset and the “Tennis Esports” app. “Anyone can play and steadily get better at it,” he added, noting that fitness levels are not a barrier to entry.
While having transitioned to pickleball in recent years, becoming a player and coach in Chennai, Jayachandran’s success in tennis esports demonstrates the growing appeal and competitiveness of virtual sports. He is also part of the Global Sports Pickleball Pro & Challenger League for two seasons in a row, having played for Kolkata last season. He is scheduled to play for Chennai in the upcoming season.
The World Tennis Esports Championships marks a significant step in the development of competitive virtual sports, drawing in both amateur and professional players and offering a new platform for athletes to showcase their skills.
First Piper 