Despite rumors that it would be cancelled, the International Premier Tennis League is good to go for its third season–albeit in a slimmed-down fashion. Four teams will be competing in three different cites: Hyderabad, Tokyo, and Singapore.
Roger Federer will play for the Indian Aces during the three-day stretch in Hyderabad, marking his first appearance since losing to Milos Raonic in the Wimbledon semifinals. Serena Williams is scheduled to compete for the Singapore Slammers. Williams played on the Slammers in 2014 before suiting up for the Philippine Mavericks last season. The Mavericks are not a part of this year’s festivities but IPTL founder Mahesh Bhupathi says they could return in 2017 if the league returns to its five-team rotation.
The top two teams in the standings following the three legs in Hyderabad, Tokyo, and Singapore will square off for the title in Hyderabad.
2106 teams:
Indian Aces
Roger Federer
Feliciano Lopez
Ivan Dodig
Rohan Bopanna
Mark Philippoussis
Thomas Enqvist
Sania Mirza
Genie Bouchard
Singapore Slammers
Nick Kyrgios
Marcos Baghdatis
Marcelo Melo
Carlos Moya
Rainer Schuettler
Serena Williams
Kiki Bertens
Japan Warriors
Kei Nishikori
Fernando Verdasco
Jean-Julien Rojer
Fernando Gonzalez
Marat Safin
Jelena Jankovic
Kurumi Nara
UAE Royals
Tomas Berdych
Pablo Cuevas
Daniel Nestor
Goran Ivanisevic
Thomas Johansson
Ana Ivanovic
Martina Hingis
No money – no love for the game:
https://twitter.com/iptl/status/806009179726966784/photo/1
Roger is finally learning from Rafa who had no love for Queens five years ago.
Rafael Nadal says UK tax demands put him off appearing at Queen’s
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/oct/13/rafael-nadal-uk-tax-queens
tennis.com, April 29, 2013 ¤¤ Basel tournament director: Federer refused our offer.
…Former Basel ball boy Federer has played his hometown tournament 13 times and won it five times, but his contract with the event expired after last year. …
Brennwald told the Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger. “We have launched campaigns in the millions for him [Federer] and allowed him to promote his sponsors, which is not very common. We are grateful for the time we were allowed to have with him. The thing is very simple: We have made an offer to him, which he refused. We have submitted a second offer, which he has not responded to. We do not normally pay a seven-figure [appearance fee].”…¤¤
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/04/basel-tournament-director-federer-refused-our-offer/47250/#.UscbZdIW0zT
Again, Rafa set the precedent for not caring at Queens in 2011 after playing there every year since 2006 (except 2009 when injured).
Roger is only copying Rafa again.
The National: “Federer the rare case of the sporting hero who plays on because of a love for the game.”
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20160127/ARTICLE/160129184
Hmmm.
Thank you for this article.
It does show just how much Roger wants to continue playing.
When healthy, he’s still one of the best on tour even defeating a much younger Nadal the last time they met.