AS the countdown begins to the much-anticipated tennis tournament, the country plays host to the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL). To be held at the Mall of Asia Arena, the tournament showcases a gathering of the top-caliber players in the world!
Establishments and hotels have reported an increase in the number of guests flying in for the IPTL, attracting visitors from across the region and then some. This is an exciting time to show the world that we can host a sporting event of this caliber and magnitude. With an impressive guest list, the IPTL confirms the final power-packed lineup seeing action in Manila. Bannering the Manila Mavericks are Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Kristen Flipkens, Carlos Moya and Fil-Am Treat Huey. Leading the pack for the Singapore Slammers are Serena Williams, Daniela Hantuchova, Tomas Berdych, Nick Kyrgios, Bruno Soares, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. Playing for the Indian Aces are Ana Ivanovich, Gael Monfils, Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna and Fabrice Santoro. Completing the competing team lineup, competing for the UAE Royals are Eugenie Bouchard, Nenad Zimonjic, Malek Jaziri, Goran Ivanisevic and Marin Cilic. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Richard Gasquet will be seeing action in other cities this year. Common to the sporting world, tight schedules, injuries and replacements contribute to the anticipation of any tournament. However, a good surprise addition of players’ appearance in Manila also includes Mark Philippoussis, Kristina Mladenovic and Philip Kohlschreiber.
Promising to “break the code”, competition format will be the first-ever team-based tournament. Match format features five different sets in this order: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles and past champion’s singles.
Indoor entertainment
PLAYING in between sets of the matches, DJ Irie who gained his claim to fame as the Miami Heats DJ, will keep what is already an exciting event even more electrifying. “I’m so honored to be a part of the first-ever IPTL with some of the world’s top athletes in the sport. I am also looking forward to bringing a type of energy and entertainment to the court that most people have never experienced before,” DJ Irie said.