By Ricky Dimon
Despite widespread rumors that the International Premier Tennis League was facing financial difficulty and would be cancelled, the offseason exhibition sensation is returning for a third installment in 2016. The number of participating teams has been reduced from five to four, but Mahesh Bhuphati’s brainchild still has the green light. Three different cities will host matches: Hyderabad, Tokyo, and Singapore.
The Indian Aces will play their home matches in Hyderabad, Tokyo is the host site for the Japan Warriors, and the Singapore Slammers are also back in business. A fourth squad, the UAE Royals, will only play on the road this year.
Roger Federer will suit up for the Aces at the end of three-day stretch in Hyderabad, marking his first appearance since falling to Milos Raonic in the Wimbledon semis. Federer is scheduled for the last match in Hyderabad and he would also be available for the IPTL final the next day if the Aces qualify.
Serena Williams is on board with the Slammers. She played for Singapore in 2015 before being a part of the Philippine Mavericks in 2015. The Mavericks are not participating in the IPTL this season but Bhupathi has indicated that they could come back next year if the league reinstalls its five-team schedule.
2016 Teams Rosters:
Indian Aces
Roger Federer
Feliciano Lopez
Ivan Dodig
Rohan Bopanna
Mark Philippoussis
Thomas Enqvist
Sania Mirza
Genie Bouchard
Singapore Slammers
Nick Kyrgios
Marcos Baghdatis
Marcelo Melo
Carlos Moya
Rainer Schuettler
Serena Williams
Kiki Bertens
Japan Warriors
Kei Nishikori
Fernando Verdasco
Jean-Julien Rojer
Fernando Gonzalez
Marat Safin
Jelena Jankovic
Kurumi Nara
UAE Royals
Tomas Berdych
Pablo Cuevas
Daniel Nestor
Goran Ivanisevic
Thomas Johansson
Ana Ivanovic
Martina Hingis
Topics: 10sballs.com, Indian Aces, International Premier Tennis League, IPTL, Japan Warriors, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Singapore Slammers, Tennis News, UAE Royals