Mahesh Bhupathi believes that rapport developed between players in the International Premier Tennis League (ITPL) will be helpful in case any of the 35 internationals involved decided to team up in doubles.
“Of course, anything can happen. They can play together, can get married… IPTL is about the experience of playing with stars.”
Japan Warriors is the latest addition to the event and men’s world number eight Kei Nishikori has been included in the seven-member squad.
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Martina Hingis’ flourishing partnership with Sania Mirza in women’s doubles is an example. Rohan Bopanna struck a rapport with Aisam Qureshi on the men’s circuit, playing doubles till prior to London Olympics 2012.
“She (Martina Hingis) did not play ITPL last time, so you cannot say it (teaming with Sania) happened to the event,” said Bhupathi, founder and MD, adding: “Playing with world’s leading stars will always help Indians.”
Sania and Rohan are among seven in the Indian Aces, other crowd-pullers include Rafael Nadal, Radwanska, Gael Monfils and Fabrice Santoro (Ivan Dodig is seventh player drafted into the squad).
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“Roger Federer was on the same side as Sania and Rohan last year. Playing with him is a memory they are going to carry for a lifetime.”
Bhupathi points to Japan’s emergence in tennis making a difference to the event. “Japan is a powerful nation in tennis, they have Nishikori.” Leander Paes is part of Japan Warriors.
Other teams in the IPTL are Philippines Mavericks, Singapore Slammers and UAE Royals. New Delhi will host the Indian leg on December 10, 11, and 12.
Replying to a question about India’s projection as a safe country, as a sporting nation due to emergence of competitions in different sports, he said: “I don’t have to force them (world tennis stars) to come here. Indian is known for its hospitality and the players are aware.”
Asked about tennis joining the sequence of events in cricket (IPL), football (ISL), hockey (HIL), badminton (IBL), kabaddi (PKL) organised in India, Bhupathi observed: “Indians in general are proud of major sporting events conducted here.”
Champions Tennis League is the other tennis event launched in 2013 and held in six Indian cities.
IPTL attracts the crowd-pullers in world tennis, Federer (UAE Royals),
Novac Djokovic (Singapore Slammers), Serena Williams (Philippines
Mavericks), Maria Sharapova (Japan Warriors) to name a few. Indian
Aces is the defending champions, winning the 2014 edition and $ one
million prize money.