Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were not a part of the Japan stop on the International Premier Tennis League circuit, but they will be making their presences felt soon enough.
Federer will play for the UAE Royals in New Delhi, Dubai, and Singapore. New Delhi, the third leg of the tour, is hosting the action from December 10 through 12. Dubai takes center stage December 14-16 and Singapore wraps up the proceedings from December 18 through 20.
Nadal will preceded Federer on the schedule as the fifth-ranked Spaniard is suiting up for duty with the Indian Aces this weekend in Manila.
Novak Djokovic, who had been scheduled to make a second straight IPTL appearance, ended up pulling out due to fatigue. The recent World Tour Finals champion–and winner of just about everything else dating back to the start of the U.S. Open–was penciled in as the marquee name on the Singapore Slammers.
“I had a great experience in the inaugural edition of the IPTL and was eagerly looking forward to playing in the second season, especially in front of the home crowd in Singapore,” Djokovic explained. “It’s been a long year for me and my body needs some extra time to recover. I wish the team the very best and will join them next year.”
The Slammers wasted no time in finding suitable replacements for the world No. 1 in the form of Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka.
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Hello?
Sanju, thanks for letting us know that Rafa will be playing in New Delhi because one of the commies categorically said, yesterday, that Rafa was only playing in Manila. I thought it was a bit strange that as part of Indian Aces Rafa wasn’t going to grace New Delhi with his presence.
I am in Dubai until mid January but won’t be going to IPTL here for three good reasons: the tickets are sold out, they are too expensive and Rafa is not coming. I shall see Rafa in Abu Dhabi anyway and I’m really looking forward to it.
i will get you a media pass for it next year. Also check your email…..
Thanks, Ricky
and RESPOND to email!
That was meant for sanju. 🙂
both
IPTL, Dec. 09, 2015: ¤¤ Galaxy of tennis stars to light up Delhi during Coca-Cola IPTL 2015
(Excerpts)
The Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League 2015 (IPTL) now moves to its third destination, Delhi, starting 10th December 2015. With 3 days of sizzling tennis that saw packed houses in Manila, the action is now set for Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, with the home team, Micromax Indian Aces, the defending champions and table-toppers ready to showcase their power brand of tennis on home turf.
Leading the charge for the home team will be IPTL-debutant Rafael Nadal…
A super scintillating face-off between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal promises tennis action like never before right here in Delhi! ¤¤
Read more in:
http://www.iptlworld.com/news/1027-roger-federer-rafael-nadal-marin-cilic-agnieszka-radwanksa-ana-ivanovic-milos-raonic-tomas-berdych-nick-kyrgios-amid-galaxy-of-tennis-stars-to-light-up-delhi-during-coca-cola-iptl-2015
Rafa-Fed face off is on Dec 12 and its the last match in Delhi. As they say save the best for the last 🙂
hopefully the match is tied going into Fed vs. Nadal (if it’s the last match of the last match)
I personally hate this cinema infusion with sports. I know Bollywood is huge in India but I frankly detest the Bollywoodisation of everything. It was ridiculous to say the least last year when the Bollywood stars could not even make their serves cross the net 🙂
Rafa’s matches today, on Dec.10:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV2yCsBU8AAfd4f.png
Did you guys see the reception Rafa got in Delhi? Deafening noise of support. The crowd went bonkers
Sanju, it was the same in Manila.
Check email
Rafa is having problem with his serves and returns, looks like its an ongoing problem. Given his problem, I really don’t think his encounter with Fed would be as competitive as Fed vs Novak last year. Rafa is playing one level below those two at the moment, I feel.
he almost blew a 3-0 lead against ERV
Nothing extraordinary happened after Rafa was leading 4-0 – Rafa was broken once and ERV won his service games.
Yes was shocked to see 3 0 become 6 4
Fed will have rust too
Fed V rafa will be a very competitive match. But yeah, rafa not playing too well at at all. He was quite relaxed against ERV but the serve is a major concern. It is going to improve all of a sudden under the same guidance and tutelage.
Should be very entertaining though.
Was he that bad? There were some glorious shots too
he wasn’t. he was decent.
it improved out of nowhere during the summer of 2013….
sorry, I meant to say it (the serve) will NOT improve all of a sudden under the same tutelage.
Sanju, he was not bad. He played decent. He was very relaxed and not focusing too hard.
i know. but why not? it did in 2013.
IPTL 2015 New Delhi.
Rafa vs Edouard Roger -Vasselin (Full match = Full set):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn1K-cv8pbA
I’m afraid the video will be blocked soon.
Oh, I just saw this video. It’s still up. I am watching it now.
Thanks for this!
IPTL 2015 New Delhi.
Nadal/Bopanna vs. Roger-Vesselin/Huey (Full match = Full set):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rrvgg750o8
I’m afraid the video will be blocked soon.
Video by IPTL, Rafa’s post-match interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbTG1Svjcb0
I had a minor surgical procedure this morning and just now am trying to catch up on the matches. The schedule on the tennis channel is pretty confusing. They are listing the matches with the team names. I will just have to look for Rafa’s team and hope that I can see it on a replay later.
Its on at 11 pm Eastern
11 pm Eastern? That late? I will record it then in case I can’t stay up.
Thanks, Ricky!
Yep. 8:00 is the first match between Royals and Warriors
This is hilarious! Now the tennis channel is showing Rafa’s match with Raonic! I never got to see it, so better late than never.
Rafa is not scheduled to play today, on Dec.11:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV8FkoPWoAANOd5.png
did not know they were showing it here so started watching only yesterday…it’s nice to see Rafa smiling and making jokes…
however, in his single match he yet again showed some mental lapses even though it was only an exhibition match with little meaning since the Indians were so much in advance with the number of games won…
I know it proves nothing and should not be any indication of Rafa’s form in early 2016 but I am worried…he had some beautiful shots but in the same time some inexplicable errors where he was supposed to be stress free…we could speculate that he is not taking this seriously (but I doubt it as Rafa always takes things seriously) or that he needs time to get accustomed to his new racquet…
I hope I am just overstating current situation but I see a lot of room for improvements…it will come I am sure…
natashao2013 DECEMBER 11, 2015 AT 11:38 AM
—we could speculate that he is not taking this seriously (but I doubt it as Rafa always takes things seriously) —
===
.
Not very seriously, he was joking together with his teammates on a changeover:
https://twitter.com/Janaid120813/status/675022649853112321
One question: is Rafa hitting with new or old racket this IPTL?
luckystar (AT 5:25 PM),
With the new racket. See my posts:
– on DECEMBER 7, 2015 AT 10:55 AM in this thread,
– on DECEMBER 9, 2015 AT 11:54 AM on the Rafael Nadal page.
Thanks.
Rafa’s schedule on Saturday, Dec.12:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWBSZvRXIAQo7sH.png