MAHESH BHUPATHI INDIAN TENNIS LEAGUE HAS BIG NAMES : FEDERER , MURRAY , WILLIAMS , SHARAPOVA & WOZNIACKI

Written by: Staff on 8th October 2014

MAHESH BHUPATHI INDIAN TENNIS LEAGUE HAS BIG NAMES : FEDERER , MURRAY , WILLIAMS , SHARAPOVA & WOZNIACKI

epa04437284 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his second round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina at the Shanghai Tennis Masters in Shanghai, China, 08 October 2014. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL |

The new International Premier Tennis League moves closer by the day and its’ critics grow ever more agitated that the already too short off season will effectively be made even shorter. However Chris Kermode, the ATP World Tour’s executive chairman and president, doesn’t put it top of his current concerns, and said: “It’s just very light entertainment.”

Leading players such as current world no.1’s Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic along with Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic are all committed to play in the competition which is due to start November 28 and last for a fortnight.

Serena Williams of the USA in action against Tsevatana Pironkova of Bulgaria during their second round match at the Tennis China Open in Beijing, China, 30 September 2014. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action against Austria’s Dominic Thiem during their second round match at the Shanghai Tennis Masters in Shanghai, China, 08 October 2014. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

The closing date of the IPTL will be December 13, giving players just 18 days’ time for rest and fitness work before the new ATP World Tour season starts on January 5 in Brisbane, Chennai and Doha. The WTA, who admittedly finish their season far earlier, are due to begin Brisbane, Shenzhen and Auckland on December 30.

However Kermode remains unconcerned and said: “In the off season there have always been exhibitions. There always will continue to be exhibitions. I think what has caused this to be an issue is the word ‘league.’ This is just a series of glorified exhibitions.

“It’s no problem that players can go and play in it. They’re not going to be playing at 100%.”

The thoughts of Kermode are another blow for the IPTL, which has taken a pounding in tennis circles before a ball has even been hit. Initially Andre Agassi complained that the dates he was given to play coincided with a time he has made clear he wanted to be home in the United States.

Then in July, one of the two Indian franchises in Mumbai decided to pull out of the IPTL plans, citing a lack of clarity over the business model progress and disagreements over player contracts’.

Finally in September, one of the projected major performers Rafael Nadal told Mahesh Bhupathi, whose formulated the entire IPTL concept after being impressed by the Indian Cricket League, sent his apologies saying he needed all the off season to rest.

However Kermode’s fellow Britain, Andy Murray disagreed completely with the assessment of the ATP’s top man. “I think it’s going to be different to exhibitions because I think the owners of the teams will be wanting the players to play properly,” said the Scot.

Britain’s Andy Murray screams out after an error during his men’s singles semi final match against world number 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China 04 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DE LA PENA

“They want the players to play a high level and to try to win because they’re obviously investing a lot of money in. Also, in an exhibition the result isn’t necessarily the most important outcome and it’s about entertaining people. I would say for the IPTL, the owners of the teams want to win.”

Murray continued: “You never know how first time events are going to go. But with the players they have involved, you would expect it to be a pretty fun experience for anyone that’s going to watch. I look forward to being on the same court or being around some of the legends that are going to be involved. It should be good fun.”

Kermode remained convinced in his thinking, adding: “I think the ATP World Tour took a responsible move to put a defining period of time for the season. I’m very strong on the ATP having a responsibility to have a season that starts and finishes at a certain point. You could argue a week less, a week more, whatever, but having that defining period.

“What players then choose to do in their off season is really a player responsibility. Now, obviously I’m open up for criticism that we reduce the calendar, now there are going to be exhibitions. So the ITPL, as I said, it’s just a bit of light entertainment.”

Content via Bob Larson tennis news

EDITORS NOTE : 10sballs .com wants to go in the record that they fully support Chris Kermode. He is the best ATP SuIT yet. He was a great tournament director. He is a bright , charming , witty man. He knows the game. He knows the state of the game. The health of the game. The players from the top super stars to the journeyman closer to the bottom. Singles and doubles players. His format at the 02 arena is brilliant. Starting with practice courts and booth land open to the public. Exactly. Non ticket holders. Every seat is great. Ticket prices are fair. It’s affordable for the fans. It’s a great experience. Stay strong CHRIS.

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp, Caro Wozniacki, Chris Kermode, Indian tennis league, Mahesh Bhupathi, Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Tennis News

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

10sBalls_com says:

October 8, 2014 at 9:28 am

@Maheshbhupathi INDIAN #TENNIS LEAGUE HAS BIG NAMES: @rogerfederer, @andy_murray, @serenawilliams, #SHARAPOVA &… http://t.co/3tlPz2woao