The 2015 edition of International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) will see Leander Paes taking on some of the greatest names of the sport. The 41-year-old was on Sunday drafted into Japan Warriors, the league’s new and fifth franchise.
The players draft for the second season, held in Dubai, witnessed teams from Singapore, Manila, New Delhi, Dubai and Tokyo bidding for tennis superstars like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikor, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, etc.
The tournament will kick off in Japan on December 2 and will conclude on December 20th.
The Atlanta Olympics medallist was picked up by the Warriors. The new franchise also roped in the services of Sharapova, Nishikori, Vasek Pospisil, Marat Safin and Daniela Hantuchova.
The ever-green Indian tennis ace had opted to stay away from IPTL, questioning it’s sustainability and transparency. Last year, his former partner and the founder of the league Bhupati revealed that talks of roping Paes had failed.
Indian Aces, which won the inaugural season, have retained Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna. But the major draw for the Indian team is Rafael Nadal, who will try to fill in for the void left by the departure of Roger Federer. The Swiss great will play for UAE Royals this term.
Men’s singles top player Djokovic will turn up for Singapore Slammers, whereas Women’s No.1 Serena will play for Manila Mavericks.
