Indian Tennis Premier League…View from Manila

Written by Vidya Kumar

December 6, 2014

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Executive Summary – The inaugural tie of the Indian Tennis Premier League (ITPL) was held in Manila over the weekend and saw the four teams playing some solid tennis to win top honours. There was a mix of new, veteran and top ranked players in all teams which made it competitive. Some twists to existing rules and music made it quick and entertaining.

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On a sultry Sunday evening, I could tick off an item in my bucket list- Watch Serena Williams play live. No I did not go to any Grand Slam. I saw her play in the Indian Tennis Premier League (ITPL). The first leg was in Manila in the world class indoor stadium SM arena. The ITPL is the brainchild of Mahesh Bhupathi. He has converted tennis into a team game where teams are pitted against each other in singles and doubles matches each lasting just a set. The team that wins the most number of games across all 4 legs is the winner. The teams have an interesting mix of players- upcoming players who will be happy to get the exposure, veterans who looked happy to be back in the court and anchor players who draw the crowd. The prize money of $1 million surely helps too.

There was a sizeable crowd considering that Filipinos love basketball and boxing more than tennis. The crowd was amazing in its cheering and support for the players as well. I was happy to see the Indian Aces win most of their games. The Pinoy crowd went wild when Treat Huey the highest ranked Filipino player blasted powerful returns and won points at the net with his quick reflexes. He reminded me of a younger Paes in the Davis cup matches. It was a treat to watch top players like Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Serena Williams and Tsonga in action in the tie lasting 3 days. Goran Ivanisevic and Gael Monfils provided entertainment to the crowd and won over the fans.

There are some twists introduced like the player receiving the serve can double his/her score by asking for a powerpoint challenge where. At deuce, players do not have to win the next two points consecutively. Whoever wins the next point wins the game. When the players are 5 games each, there is a shootout for 5 minutes and the player with more points at the end of the stipulated time is the winner.

Purists might say the game is being diluted. I must confess the tennis fan in me had doubts too thinking it will be more  entertainment and less tennis. But i was pleasantly surprised and it had some good tennis and has the potential to be a crowd puller as games get over fast, results are quick and there is entertainment on the side. I am looking forward to the next leg in Singapore.

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