Dubai: ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti is curious to see the development of the Mahesh Bhupathi-backed International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) that is scheduled to take off from the end of November.
The inaugural edition of the four-team IPTL was announced last year with some of the big names from tennis, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in the men’s and Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka in the women’s already drafted by the four teams in the fray.
These star players will be joined by yesteryear legends including Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Martina Hingis and Goran Ivanisevic in a novel playing format that is meant to be entertaining to the crowd.
The competition will get under way in Manila, Philippines from November 28 to 30 and conclude with the fourth and final round in Dubai from December 11-13.
There are four teams in the fray for the first year competition representing the Philippines, Singapore, India and the UAE.
Asked to comment on this unique brand of competition Ricci Bitti, said: “The IPTL is merely intercepting money that is in the market. This doesn’t affect us as we believe that real tennis is in the Davis Cup, the Fed Cup and the Grand Slams along with all the other big tournaments. What I am curious to see is if he [Bhupathi] can develop something different.”