The innovative rules and format of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) may have struck a chord with the Asian fans, generally starved of top-level action, but former World No.1 Carlos Moya believes the ‘traditional’ sport will stick to its conventional rules, though the inaugural tournament will ‘co-exist’ and thrive alongside the existing order.
“Top players are trying out different things but tennis is a traditional sport. But ATP and IPTL have their respective places in tennis and can co-exist together,” Moya, coach of the Manila Mavericks playing in the ITPL told on the sidelines of the Delhi leg of the competition.
The clay-court specialist, however, gave a thumbs up to the tweaks the competition has introduced into the game said the concept is ‘exciting’.
Spain’s former Davis Cup captain, Moya, was dragged into a controversy two months prior to his new coaching role when, after his resignation from Spanish duty, ex-female tennis star Gala Leon was named as his successor.
It’s been over two months since her appointment erupted into a huge controversy and Moya said the tennis authorities could have avoided a needless controversy by taking the players into confidence before appointing her.
“I think the players are upset with the way the appointment was made,” he said.
“Their grouse is they came to know of her appointment through the media, not from the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) beforehand. That way it could have avoided the controversy.”
The surprise move triggered off a huge countrywide controversy with several former and active Spanish players and coaches disapproving it.
One of the worries expressed by Rafael Nadal’s uncle and Coach Tony Nadal was her facing a “logistical” problem in entering a men’s locker room.
