Doubts Begin To Surface Over New League Scheduling, Sampras & Agassi Uncertain

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 4th March 2014

Doubts Begin To Surface Over New League Scheduling, Sampras & Agassi Uncertain

epa04039357 Former tennis player Pete Sampras (right) watches the men's semifinal match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament Melbourne, Australia, 24 January 2014. EPA/DAVID CROSLING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

The inaugural International Premier Tennis League is still more than eight months away but after Sunday’s players draft in Dubai it seems with each passing day, more doubts occur and now Andre Agassi has thrown doubt on his part.

Agassi was in London yesterday to face Pete Sampras as part of World Tennis Day. And although he and his representatives had previous dialogue with Mahesh Bhupathi – the doubles player turned impresario behind the IPTL – the 43 year-old former world no.1 revealed a massive misunderstanding had occurred.

The initial agreement was based on Agassi saying he would be available for a few days commitment in December. Then on Monday he subsequently heard he had been drafted by Singapore, who play their home matches at the end of November. Or, more precisely over the Thanksgiving weekend, which is sacrosanct to millions of American families.

“I learned that yesterday to my very big surprise,” said Agassi, who doesn’t even know the identity of the Singapore team owners. “I don’t have all the facts and if that’s 100% accurate, we will be connecting with the organizers of the event to make sure nobody is left in the lurch.

“My deal is pretty simple, I cannot leave for more than five days including travel, and I agreed to December dates. Otherwise it’s too much of a price to pay missing out on my family, and missing out on many business things I’m responsible for.”

On Bhupathi’s insistence, financial details are being kept as classified information and it appears those players listed to appear are as much in the dark as anyone else.

Agassi said his initial impression, when Bhupathi tried to sell the concept to him, was one of interest and encouragement. “It seems like a great idea that to some degree you can set your own price,” he explained. “It seemed like a win for everybody, but again it has to make sense in the scope of my life and as of right now I have no confirmation that has actually been accomplished.

Meanwhile Sampras, drafted by the Mumbai franchise, is perhaps even more vague on his level of commitment. “I feel like I have committed to three matches,” he said. “I’m not sure when or where yet, I believe in a couple of cities, maybe the Dubai, India part. But I think they’re still working on the schedule.”

Both admitted the concept of something like the IPTL would not have been feasible in their playing days on the ATP World Tour. It’s different now, the season ends early November,” When asked if he would have committed to the IPTL during his playing days, Agassi responded: “It’s different now, the season ends early November. I didn’t have that luxury because I took that time away to prepare for Australia.” So the question becomes what are you going to prioritize in your life [and are there] arguments for taking a high-paid opportunity and maximizing this time in your life?

“There would be another argument to be made for others who probably should say no to that and use that time to prepare for what it is they have an opportunity to accomplish. It’s a rare window of time. From an economic standpoint it was hard to tempt me when I played.”

Sampras said the off-season had been so short in his day that he had “barely enough time” to prepare for the Australian Open. “The schedule’s a little shorter these days, it gives the guys an opportunity to play a few exhibitions, make a few extra bucks,” he said.

Then he added somewhat mischievously: “We all know they need it, so if someone’s dumb enough to pay them, they’d be dumb not to take it.”

IMG’s Max Eisenbud, who handles the business side of both Maria Sharapova and Li Na, admitted to CNN he was skeptical about the IPTL’s chances of even happening, although both players would be highly valued, neither will be taking part and Eisenbud said: “I think it will be great for tennis if it can be pulled off. I just don’t see how it could ever work, but I hope I am wrong.”

Topics: 10sballs, Andre Agassi, Atp World Tour, Australian Open, Cnn, Dubai, IMG, International Premier Tennis League, Li Na, Mahesh Bhupathi, Maria Sharapova, Max Eisenbud, new league draft, Pete Sampras, Sports, Tennis, World Tennis Day

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

10sBalls_com says:

March 4, 2014 at 8:07 am

Doubts Begin To Surface Over New League Scheduling, Sampras & Agassi Uncertain- http://t.co/o3lKd8JUkA @PeteSampras @AndreAgassi #tennis