Federer replaces Nadal in Indian Aces’ IPTL Line-up

Sport360 staff 16:36 22/09/2014
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  • Star line-up: How the Indian Aces will be represented at the IPTL.

    The International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) today announced that its Indian franchise – the Indian Aces – will be spearheaded by Roger Federer.

    India’s leading consumer electronics company Micromax have been confirmed as the owners of the Aces, whose line-up includes 14 time Grand Slam Champion Pete Sampras and teammates Gael Monfils, Ana Ivanovic, Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna, and Fabrice Santoro, as well as Federer.. 

    The team will land in New Delhi from 6th – 8th December 2014 but will be without world No. 2 Rafael Nadal, who Federer replaces as the Aces’ marquee player. The Spaniard has been forced to withdraw from the IPTL due to injury and the need for rehab during the off season.

    In a televised message, Swiss ace Roger Federer said: “Namaste India! I'm really looking forward to making my first trip to New Delhi and playing for the Micromax Indian Aces.

    “My team tells me that there are a lot of tennis fans and my supporters in the region, so I hope you can come out and support me in December.”

    Meanwhile, Nadal’s camp assured the Spaniard remains enthusiastic about the project but prefers to stick to ATP events as he plans his return from a lengthy right wrist injury.

    "Rafa has decided not to play this year since he felt that after the injury during the summer, he would rather focus only on the ATP events and start the preparation for a full 2015 season including IPTL," Nadal’s PR manager, Benito Pérez-Barbadillo told Sport360° in an email.

    Speaking about his withdrawal, Nadal expressed his disappointment at not being able to compete in the IPTL’s first season.

    “I was looking forward to representing Indian Aces and playing in front of fans in New Delhi in the exciting new League. I wish the team the very best and hope to be back next year,” said Nadal.

    IPTL founder Mahesh Bhupathi, added: “I take this opportunity to welcome Micromax to the IPTL family as owners of the India franchise.

    “I believe the time for innovation in tennis has come. This December, New Delhi will witness tennis action like never before – one that will change the way people enjoy the sport.

    “As a tennis fan, I am excited to see Roger and Pete play for the same team, it’s unprecedented! I think Indian sports fans are in for a real treat.”

    The League comprises of 4 teams and includes the UAE’s Royals franchise, the Manila Mavericks and Singapore Slammers for a total prize money of USD 1 million.

    A new format has been created for the competition, designed at appeasing broadcasters and treating fans to an experience far removed from the traditional lawns of Wimbledon.

    Each match will consist of 5 sets played by different players (men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles and former Champions singles) and each game won counts as one point for the team points total – the team that wins the most games overall across the five sets wins the match.

    Fans will see coaches calling for ‘time outs’ in the middle of a game, announcing a ‘power point’ and play a ’shoot out’ to decide the winners of each match.

    Dubai hosts the final leg of the four-stage series at the Hamdan Sports Complex from December 11-13.

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