US Open champion and world No. 9 Marin Cilic’s decision to play in the inaugural season of the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) was influenced by a simple thought.
“For me a big part of the decision came because in the countries where we’ll play, people can’t see players too often. It’s a really nice opportunity to interact with them and try to play in cities I have never played in before,” says the 26-year-old Croatian star.
Together with his world famous teammates Novak Djokovic, Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Wozniacki, Goran Ivanisevic, Nenad Zimonjic, and Arab player Malek Jaziri, Cilic will be playing for the UAE ‘Royals’, visiting countries like India, the Philippines, Singapore and Dubai to play in the professional team tennis competition.
From 28 November until 13 December 2014, the IPTL will bring the excitement of the league format to a sport followed by millions across the world.
In its quicker and more exciting format that’s never been seen before, the League will ‘Break the Code’ of the traditional etiquette of tennis in the world.
Describing what thrills him most about the League, Cilic says: “It is the different format of the game compared to what we are used to on the Tour. Also, team atmosphere is very different compared to when you play your individual tournaments. I believe the IPTL will also be interesting to follow and play because of the many great players playing. ”
First time features such as time-outs, power points, shootouts, a running shot clock and exciting live in-game entertainment will be an essential part of all matches. Cilic feels matches will be extremely interesting, quicker, and different compared to what’s seen during the year, bringing more excitement to the court.
Cilic thinks tennis fans in the UAE are in for a real treat.
“This team will be difficult to beat”, he added.
“It’s a big pleasure to be on the same team with these big names of our sport. With Novak playing, Zimonjic in doubles, Goran for legends who is one of the best on the Legends Tour, Wozniacki and Bouchard, who are among the best in the world, Jaziri who is a very dangerous player, and I, hopefully we can win the IPTL this year and make our fans proud.”
He believes the competition has a huge, promising future. “We’ll see how fans like it but I believe it could bring change to the tennis world,” he exclaims talking about the sports’ latest and most exciting spectacle.
“My game plan is the same as always. To play my game and to try to win every match I am playing. Hopefully, my team is going to play well that we come in position to win the IPTL,” he says.
