ENTHUSIASM among local fans for the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), where the world’s top tennis players showcase their skills on Philippine soil in a unique team event, has started to peak.
With less than a month remaining before the matches are played from November 28 to 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena, IPTL Chief Operating Officer Eric Gottschalk expressed confidence the tournament’s opening leg will bring fans out to witness the action.
“It’s been extremely exciting, because you have the best players playing together in a team concept for the first time. From the start we did not want to create an exhibition, we wanted to create a competition,” Gottschalk told the BusinessMirror.
“That’s why we came up with the team format and we put a million [United States] dollars as prize money. It’s not a glorified exhibition, it’s really a competition. That already makes the difference. We want people to come here and we want the players to try their best.”
Gottschalk also noted that he expects the event will inspire and usher in the renaissance of the sport in the Philippines, the same way the Azkals did with football.
With more than 70 percent of the 13,200-plus tickets already sold, Gottschalk was overwhelmed with the support that the Filipinos have given for the event.
The Manila Mavericks, owned by a four-team investment group that includes SM Prime Holdings, are headlined by defending French Open champion Maria Sharapova, current Wimbledon men’s titlist Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, retired Spanish ace Carlos Moya and Filipino Davis Cupper Treat Huey.
Three other teams will take part in the three-day event, including the Singapore Slammers, Indian Aces and the United Arab Emirates Royals.
Representing Singapore will be Serena Williams, Nick Kyrgios, Daniela Hanchutova, Tomas Berdych and Patrick Rafter; Ana Ivanovic, Fabrice Santoro and Gael Monfils banners the India squad; while Eugene Bouchard, Richard Gasquet and Goran Ivanisevic penned their names for UAE. All four teams have signed on to commit to a 10-year partnership with the league, with a yearly draft to be conducted by the IPTL by February or March 2015. During the initial draft, all teams will start from scratch.
Players will be then offered a maximum of two years on their contract with the team, including an option to be traded should the team choose to do so. Gottschalk also revealed that the league has agreed with a tie-up with ABS-CBN Sports for the broadcast of all the league’s games via Sports and Action on free TV and Balls on cable.
Diego de la Paz