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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Rafa , you have to win this! lol. It’s an exho but still!
Indian Aces rolled over UAE Royals – 5:0
Well Rafa was always ahead but always managed to give it back. Finally played great in shootout winning 7 4
Rafa played some very good shots and at times his serve placement was excellent
Rafa beats Fed indoors ?
Except 2 games where he surrendered serve..Rafa played really neat and played most big points well except the one 15 40 where he could beat Roger 5 3
so all those saying Rafa wont beat Roger, thoughts?
The turnout was rather disappointing but it’s understandable… It is not cricket and tickets are expensive.
ANYWAY, rafa played really well! I was hoping the match could be of higher quality but I blame Roger. He was erratic. Rafa was steady produced some great shots.
Indian Aces are UNSTOPPABLE!
Bravo Rafa!
http://r26.imgfast.net/users/2614/20/51/72/smiles/2698908354.jpg
Yeah, only an exhibition but I so much wanted Rafa to win…and he did…giving back those breaks still is something to worry about but in the same time both Rafa and Fed hit some beautiful shots…Rafa was better in the end…so much fun for the fans…they really enjoyed it…
much better showing by Rafa today…great to end this magnificent run of Indian Aces with Rafa’s win over Fed…I enjoyed every bit of it…
VAMOS!
If they price tickets minimum 4000 Rs and highest at 48000..they cannot expect stands to be full. Not sure what organisers are doing by pricing it so steep..Finally they lose when stands are 70% full.
I know. The cost of tickets in Dubai is up to 4,500 AED which is about £800 but here they are sold out.
CHECK EMAIL
It wasnt anywhere close to Fed Djoko last year but frankly Fed is to blame there..he was wildly up and down.
Rafa hit 70% of times deep and his BH was really good
In fact, Nadal went on to say that the IPTL is turning out to be perfect preparation for him ahead of the next season. The ‘King of Clay’ has struggled with his form this season, failing to win a single Major for the first time in 10 years.
“It is an unbelievable event. I have had a very good time so far and it’s a preparation for the next season. The format is quick and anything can happen. The matches can also become very close quickly,” he said.
Rafa looked sharp and Fed rusty. Rafa seemed like taking this quite seriously, fortunately he didnt let this set slipped away.
I really like this IPTL, the way they introduce the players with the music on, it looks so fun. The format is good too, short and sweet and I like the power point system where the teams could use to take advantage of tight situations faced by their opponents. The 20 sec time limit with warning siren 5 sec before time is up I think it works fine. Players really serve within the time limit.
Rafa also serves quickly and it looks like that doesnt affect his game. Its good training for Rafa to speed up his time between points.
Rafa missed an open FH in the open court just like he missed in 2012 AO final though that was BH
I am sure all remember that shot
2015 IPTL New Delhi – R.Nadal/R.Bopanna vs. R.Federer/M.Cilic (Full match) [= Full set]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOgHGT8O2qI
The video may be blocked soon!
IPTL is best for team bonding else tennis can get very lonely when you are all alone fighting
2015 IPTL, New Delhi – Rafa vs. Roger Federer (Full match) [= Full set]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HPa073FJto
The video may be blocked soon!
See this funny video when Rafa learns Tomic is joining Indian aces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nuWdkQ9jMA&feature=youtu.be
hahahaahahah I saw that but I could not really understand what he said! he said Bernard! LOL
When Rafa was told by Bopana that Tomic is coming he said: “Bernard? Close the party”. Then Bopana said something like – he’ll be partying all night.
Rafa asks: “Now, for the rest of the IPTL will we have this team?”
Rohan: “No, …Tomic is coming.”
Rafa: “Bernard?! Close the bars…!”
Rohan: “I know, I know!”
😆
video?
Ricky (AT 4:58 AM),
Posted on DECEMBER 12, 2015 AT 6:19 PM.
Rafa can be a crack up at times!
how was match? I had to leave at 2-0.
It was so so Ricky. Fed was wildly up and down and I would blame him rather than Rafa for not taking the match to a high standard. I would rate it 6/10 and would rate Rafa 7/10 and Fed 5/10.
🙂
Rafa served well and his placements were great..some winners were awesome..Fed on the other hand produced just 2-3 good shots and his serve was off.
Thanks!
It’s been really frustrating to try and see any of the matches. The tennis channel is showing them on such a long delay that it’s absurd. I am going to watch the youtube video above before it’s not available.