Star-studded tennis league launched

Several tennis stars, including world No 1 Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams, have lined up for the first International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) which will take place in Bangkok and three other cities in Asia between November 28 and December 20.

The current active players will join tennis legends such as Pete Sampras, Martina Hingis, Patrick Rafter and Goran Ivanisevic in tennis’ version of cricket’s Indian Premier League. It is scheduled for a 17-day period with stops in four Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, India (Mumbai) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). 

While Nadal and Djokovic will represent team Mumbai and Dubai respectively, 2011 ATP Thailand Open champion Murray will play for team Bangkok, according to his official website. Former Thailand Open winner Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, 2012 Hua Hin Exhibition winner Victoria Azarenka and ex-world No 1 Carlos Moya also join the current Wimbledon champion in team Bangkok.

Multiple doubles Grand Slam champion Mahesh Bhupathi was the one who initiated this tennis league. 

The tournament is an answer to what Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand chief Suwat Liptapanlop was seeking to replace the ATP Thailand Open, which was staged for the final time last year due to low spectator turnout.

Team owners and IPTL organisers – led by Bhupathi, the managing director of the league – held a draft on Sunday in Dubai where a total sum of $23,975,000 was spent across four teams. Nadal will be joined by 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras in Team Mumbai, while Djokovic has fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic, ex-world No1 Caroline Wozniacki and Arab No 1 Malek Jaziri as his allies for Dubai.

Teams owners are allowed to have up to 10 players in their roster.

“We’ve got some unbelievably strong teams. I think out of the 28 players that got drafted we have about 21 Grand Slam champions. We have 14 present and past number ones. It’s a pretty blockbuster field,” Bhupathi said.

The IPTL has been described by Djokovic as a “fantastic concept” while others like Roger Federer – a notable absentee from the player field – has been more cautious in his views on the idea.

“Firstly, I want to see whether it takes off or not. I know a lot of people have invested in it or are part of it,” Federer told reporters in Dubai last week.

“Anywhere where tennis grows is a good thing, so I hope it takes off and becomes very successful. In Asia, there is enormous potential – in places like China and India, due to the amount of people that live there and the excitement they have for tennis.”

Asia’s top male and female players, Kei Nishikori and Li Na, are also missing from the player field, along with career Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova.

Former world No 1 Moya attended the draft, which has placed him in Team Bangkok alongside British two-time major champion Andy Murray.

The Spanish star is not only a participant but is also the vice president of players’ relations within the league.

“I’m very excited to be part of this competition, and look forward to playing for Bangkok. I have fond memories from the days I’ve played there,” said Moya. The much-talked about league will take place during the off season of the tennis calendar. Each match will follow a best-of-five format comprising separate sets contested in men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles and past champions singles, with the home team choosing the order of play prior to each match.

Play is scheduled to start in Singapore, followed by Bangkok, Mumbai and it will finally conclude in Dubai. Each city will host six matches in a three-day period and each team will have a regular roster and a travel roster that will have to include a minimum number of players from the different categories.

The concept is the brainchild of Bhupathi, who believes it can have a revolutionary effect on tennis. He is joined at the helm by Morgan Menahem, the CEO of the league, who also happens to be the agent of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

 

The line-up

Team Singapore

November 28, 29, 30 

Tomas Berdych, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, Serena Williams, Bruno Soares, Patrick Rafter, Daniela Hantuchova, Nick Krygios

 

Team Bangkok

December 2, 3, 4

Andy Murray, Jo Wilfred Tsonga, Victoria Azarenka, Daniel Nestor, Carlos Moya, Kirsten Flipkens

 

Team Mumbai

December 7, 8, 9

Rafael Nadal, Gael Monfils, Pete Sampras. Rohan Bopanna, Ana Ivanovic, Sania Mirza, Fabrice Santoro

 

Team Dubai

December 11, 12, 13

Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Goran Ivanisevic, Janko Tipsarevic, Nenad Zimonic, Malek Jaziri, Martina Hingis