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NEW DELHI: With multiple Grand Slams champion and former world no.1 Rafael Nadal set to make his International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) debut, founder and Managing Director of IPTL Mahesh Bhupathi is optimistic that the event this year will be bigger and better.
Nadal, who did not take part in the first edition of IPTL last year owing to an injury, will be joining the current champions Indian Aces while Roger Federer will turn up for UAE Royals and world no.1 Novak Djokovic will ply his trade for Singapore Slammers. Added attraction to the event, which will start on 2nd December later this year, will be the marquee clash between rivals Nadal and Federer in Delhi on 12th December. The last time these two met was in 2014 Australian Open semi-final won by Nadal in straight sets.
"Season one of IPTL brought some of the world's biggest tennis stars to cities in Asia for the very first time in an exciting new format. The reception shown by fans was a revelation. This year the event will be bigger. We have added a big market in Japan and with both Nadal and Nishikori playing, fans will be in for a thrilling three weeks. Indian sports lovers have a lot to look forward to in Delhi from the 10th to 12th of December," said Bhupathi during a media interaction.
The inaugural edition of IPTL, a team-based tennis league played across four Asian countries, was won by Indian Aces lead by Federer. This year, Japan Warriors will join the existing teams - Aces, UAE Royals, Philippine Mavericks and Singapore Slammers. The Warriors, led by the only male Asian player to play in a Grand Slam final Kei Nishikori, have an explosive line-up consisting of Maria Sharapova, doubles specialist Leander Paes and Marat Safin as the 'past champion'.
Last year, Paes had opted to stay away from IPTL questioning its sustainability and transparency, but will feature for the new franchise this year. On being asked about Paes' presence in the event Bhupathi said, "There are few people, who can entertain on the courts and this is a fast format. When it comes to net play he is one of the fastest players in the world. It is going to be fun for the fans."
Indian Aces owner Gulshan Jhurani sounded confident of his team retaining the title. "The Indian Aces will fight hard to retain the title in the second edition of the IPTL and with Nadal leading the side, we are poised to do well. The team has an effective blend of power hitters, players with guile and finesse and some very effective doubles combinations. With such a terrific combination of tennis players, we are confident of retaining the IPTL crown," he said.
Tickets for the India leg of the IPTL season 2 will go on sale from 3rd of August on "Book My Show" and will be available at an exciting early bird discount for a limited duration.
Teams:
India Aces: Rafael Nadal, Gael Monfils, Agnieszka Radwanska, Fabrice Santoro, Ivan Dodig, Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna
Japan Warriors: Kei Nishikori, Kurumi Nara, Vasek Pospisil, Leander Paes, Daniela Hantuchova, Lucas Pouille, Maria Sharapova and Marat Safin
Philippine Mavericks: Serena Williams, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Mark Philippoussis, Richard Gasquet, Treat Huey, Jarmila Gajdosova, Borna Coric and Sabine Lisicki
Singapore Slammers: Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Marcelo Melo, Belinda Bencic, Karolina Pliskova and Carlos Moya
UAE Royals: Roger Federer, Goran Ivanisevic, Ana Ivanovic, Marin Cilic, Daniel Nestor, Kristina Mladenovic and Tomas Berdych
IPTL gets bigger and better with Nadal vs Federer show-stopper - The Times of India
Nadal, who did not take part in the first edition of IPTL last year owing to an injury, will be joining the current champions Indian Aces while Roger Federer will turn up for UAE Royals and world no.1 Novak Djokovic will ply his trade for Singapore Slammers. Added attraction to the event, which will start on 2nd December later this year, will be the marquee clash between rivals Nadal and Federer in Delhi on 12th December. The last time these two met was in 2014 Australian Open semi-final won by Nadal in straight sets.
"Season one of IPTL brought some of the world's biggest tennis stars to cities in Asia for the very first time in an exciting new format. The reception shown by fans was a revelation. This year the event will be bigger. We have added a big market in Japan and with both Nadal and Nishikori playing, fans will be in for a thrilling three weeks. Indian sports lovers have a lot to look forward to in Delhi from the 10th to 12th of December," said Bhupathi during a media interaction.
The inaugural edition of IPTL, a team-based tennis league played across four Asian countries, was won by Indian Aces lead by Federer. This year, Japan Warriors will join the existing teams - Aces, UAE Royals, Philippine Mavericks and Singapore Slammers. The Warriors, led by the only male Asian player to play in a Grand Slam final Kei Nishikori, have an explosive line-up consisting of Maria Sharapova, doubles specialist Leander Paes and Marat Safin as the 'past champion'.
Last year, Paes had opted to stay away from IPTL questioning its sustainability and transparency, but will feature for the new franchise this year. On being asked about Paes' presence in the event Bhupathi said, "There are few people, who can entertain on the courts and this is a fast format. When it comes to net play he is one of the fastest players in the world. It is going to be fun for the fans."
Indian Aces owner Gulshan Jhurani sounded confident of his team retaining the title. "The Indian Aces will fight hard to retain the title in the second edition of the IPTL and with Nadal leading the side, we are poised to do well. The team has an effective blend of power hitters, players with guile and finesse and some very effective doubles combinations. With such a terrific combination of tennis players, we are confident of retaining the IPTL crown," he said.
Tickets for the India leg of the IPTL season 2 will go on sale from 3rd of August on "Book My Show" and will be available at an exciting early bird discount for a limited duration.
Teams:
India Aces: Rafael Nadal, Gael Monfils, Agnieszka Radwanska, Fabrice Santoro, Ivan Dodig, Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna
Japan Warriors: Kei Nishikori, Kurumi Nara, Vasek Pospisil, Leander Paes, Daniela Hantuchova, Lucas Pouille, Maria Sharapova and Marat Safin
Philippine Mavericks: Serena Williams, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Mark Philippoussis, Richard Gasquet, Treat Huey, Jarmila Gajdosova, Borna Coric and Sabine Lisicki
Singapore Slammers: Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Marcelo Melo, Belinda Bencic, Karolina Pliskova and Carlos Moya
UAE Royals: Roger Federer, Goran Ivanisevic, Ana Ivanovic, Marin Cilic, Daniel Nestor, Kristina Mladenovic and Tomas Berdych
IPTL gets bigger and better with Nadal vs Federer show-stopper - The Times of India
