NEW Premier League in tennis 2014?

Hoergren

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Caroline Wozniacki, along with a number of other tennis stars have been invited to participate in the new international Premier League.
A new tennis tournament - The International Premier Tennis League - looks by all accounts, unveiled in December 2014. And it gets Danish participation!

In any case, Caroline Wozniacki and a number of other top names like Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka declared their interest to participate.
Among the very best only missing commitment from Swiss player Roger Federer.
- I think that the tennis season is long enough already. That Is why I did not commit, he says.
Caroline Wozniacki 's Danish consultant Mikkel Nissen confirms her interest.
- It is true that Caroline was asked if she would like to attend. But when the tournament is only in a sketch state, I can not comment further, he says.
The idea for the tournament is fostered by the Indian doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupati.
- We intend to create NBA atmosphere with music and the chance to sponsors can provide local entertainment around the fighting, says Mahesh Bhupati to the magazine Sports Business International, adding:
- It is planned that sponsors buy players for six Asian metropolises and teams must play all against all.

It is not yet determined what cities are. However, according to Sports Business International is among other Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Dubai, Calcutta and Jakarta in the picture.

If Mahesh Bhupatis dream comes true the teams wil set at next year's Australian Open. Here, the sponsors of the best NBA shape could buy the players on an open auction.
Yet, neither the WTA or ATP commented on whether they think that the idea fits with their interests.

So still on gossip state - but interesting IMHO:cool:
 

ozza

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I thought this was going to happen this year. This sucks anyway. They are going to play first to 5 game sets I think, no adv, basically it's not an actual serious event. Just a glorified exhibition, effectively just a waste of time.

If they want to play more tennis, extend the seasons. The WTA tour could do with having at least a couple of weeks added to it anyway. I don't see this being good preparation for most players for the Australian Open either.
 

Johnsteinbeck

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isn't it wonderful to have (on the ATP side) some of the players who complain about the demands of the tennis calendar, gung-ho to join this new off-season activity? ;) that said, it's basically just a new, set format for the pros to play in exhibitions.

anyway... increased exposure in Asia sure won't hurt the sport. it seems like an international version of WTT (world team tennis) - i wonder how the two would get along.