By Nick Butler

IOC member and Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev has called for tennis academies and competitions to be developed in Sochi ©Getty ImagesRussian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev has called for facilities in Sochi to be developed to allow top-level tennis competitions to take place in the Winter Olympic host city.


A sporting legacy, in which Sochi would become a hub for major events, was billed as a key objective after the Games earlier this year, and events including a Formula One Grand Prix have already taken place there.

But there has also been criticism about a lack of activity with the venues, and the showcasing of tennis, one of the most popular sports in Russia and much of the rest of the world, could be one good way of silencing the critics.

Indeed, in April Russia's women won a Fed Cup clash against Argentina on a clay surface in the Adler Arena, the Sochi 2014 speed skating venue with a capacity of 8,000.

Tarpischev, the controversial official and International Olympic Committee member who came under fire in October for referring to Venus and Serena Williams as the "Williams brothers" in an interview, has also called for a year-round academy for top Russian players in Sochi. 

"It would be nice to create a full-fledged Sochi tennis academy, which Russia's leading players would use all year round," he said, following a meeting with Krasnodar Territory Governor Alexander Tkachev.

"We have voiced these proposals, and are now waiting for a response. 

"Ideally, you want to create conditions that Sochi could hold tournaments on the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and the WTA (Women's Tennis Association).

A Fed Cup World Group Playoff match took place at the Adler Arena, the Sochi 2014 speed skating venue, in April ©Getty ImagesA Fed Cup World Group Playoff match took place at the Adler Arena, the Sochi 2014 speed skating venue, in April ©Getty Images



As well as the Olympic legacy benefit, Tarpischev's proposal could have an important benefit in restoring tennis fortunes after a somewhat difficult year.

On the men's side, 48th ranked Mikhail Youzhny is the only Russian in the top 50 of the world rankings, while second ranked Maria Sharapova, who grew up and began playing tennis in Sochi, is one of only four Russians in the top 50 of the corresponding women's list. 

This contrasts with the situation several years ago in which Russian players dominated the women's game.

Both the men's and women's tours will also only have one event in Russia in 2015, the Kremlin Cup on hard court surfaces in Moscow in October, although an already congested calendar does reduce the potential for new events.