title: Southern India Championships
text: # Southern India Championships
  
  The Southern India Championships also known as the South Indian International Championships was a combined men's and women's tennis tournament was founded in 1889 as the South India Championship. The championships was played at the Madras Gymkhana Club grounds, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. The championships ran until 1980 before it was discontinued.
  
  ## History
  
  Tennis was introduced to India in 1880s by British Army and Civilian Officers. As early as 1883 the first tennis courts laid in Madras were at the Madras Cricket Club (MCC). In 1884 Madras Gymkhana Club built its first tennis courts. In 1889 the South India Championship was founded and played at the Madras Gymkhana Club, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. During the 1930s to 1950s the tournament was known as the South Indian International Championships. The championships were staged until 1980 when they were abolished.
  
  