DPA/Dubai
The inconvenience of a last-gasp tactical pullout from Novak Djokovic was quickly amended by the IPTL exhibition series yesterday, with Davis Cup-winning Andy Murray and French Open champion Stan Wawrinka making late entries into the league.
The quick-change act came just a few hours into the 2015 IPTL season opener in Kobe, Japan.
No sooner had Djokovic withdrawn - needing some rest after a long and successful season, and closing in on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s all-time success - than in popped Murray and Wawrinka.
Murray, who led Britain to the Davis Cup title at the weekend in Belgium, will be competing on the IPTL for a second season, while Swiss Wawrinka will be making his debut.
“We are glad to announce the return of Andy Murray and the debut of Stan Wawrinka in the IPTL. Both Murray and Wawrinka will add immense strength to the Slammers, upping the quality of tennis on display. Fans across the world can look forward to some exciting match-ups,” IPTL founder Mahesh Bhupathi said.
The five-nation league slotted the pair into the Singapore team where they will compete for the Slammers along with Nick Kyrgios, Belinda Bencic, Karolina Plíková, Dustin Brown, Carlos Moya and Marcelo Melo.
Djokovic, who was to have also played for Singapore, reportedly withdrew from a New Year exhibition series in Abu Dhabi as well.
“I had a great experience in the inaugural edition of the IPTL and was eagerly looking forward to playing in the second season, especially in front of the home crowd in Singapore,” the number one said in a statement.
“It’s been a long year for me and my body needs some extra time to recover. I wish the team the very best and will join them next year.”
Wawrinka and Murray are among a group of top names competing in the Asian league, with major names dipping in and out of ties but all required to sign two-year contracts. Others in the mix include Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic, Milos Raonic, Nick Kyrgios and on the women’s side Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Kristina Mladenovic and Sania Mirza among others.
The 2015 iteration of the IPTL comprises the Japan Warriors, title holders Indian Aces, UAE Royals, Philippine Mavericks and the Singapore Slammers. The December 20 finals in Singapore will pit the top two teams with the winners splitting 1 million dollars and the finalist half that amount.
In addition, players also receive appearance fees which can mount up to millions for a few days of matches for household names like Federer, Nadal and Murray.
Bad boys Tomic, Kyrgios turned corner: TA chief
Bad boys Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic have matured and turned the corner, Tennis Australia (TA) chief Craig Tiley says, after a season which will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Both players endured turbulent years with on and off court controversies, including brushes with officialdom and the law, overshadowing anything they did on court.
Despite being the nation’s top-ranked players, neither was considered as nominees for the prestigious Newcombe Medal—which rewards Australia’s “most outstanding elite tennis player and ambassador”.
But Tiley said Tennis Australia had mended its fences with the pair and he expected them to be on their best behaviour at their home Grand Slam, the Australian Open, next month.
“I’d love nothing more than both Bernie and Nick to have a great 2016, as we all would,” Tiley, who is also tournament director of the season’s first major at Melbourne Park, told Wednesday’s The Australian newspaper.
“There’s no rifts; no animosity between Tennis Australia and those two guys. They are making a real go of a professional tennis career.
“They know what our expectations are and when they meet them they get rewarded and if they don’t, they don’t.”
During the past year Tomic clashed with Tennis Australia and was suspended for a Davis Cup tie. He was also arrested over a raucous penthouse party in Miami, while outspoken Kyrgios’s sex slur at Stan Wawrinka in August sparked stinging criticism from fellow players. Tiley said he has had conversations with both players.
“We’ve got a good relationship with both of them, no question,” he said.
“I spent time with Bernie in the UK when he played Davis Cup and in my view he is saying all the right things. They are both different people and they are both extremely talented.
“We’re fortunate in Australia to have them among a group of good male players. That’s great for us.”
Andy Murray (Right) and Stan Wawrinka.
