International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) cannot be called an Indian league, its founder managing director Mahesh Bhupathi has clarified though the new competition has borrowed heavily from the cricket-based IPL, especially in the franchise business model.
"This (IPTL) is not an Indian league, let's be clear about it. Teams are from Japan, UAE, Singapore, Manila and India," said the former Davis Cup doubles specialist on Tuesday.
He also announced a host of new features added to the tournament -- including brining a new team, Japan Warriors.
Bhupathi said India should consider itself lucky to have quite a few players featuring in the league, whose second edition is to be held from December 2-20.
"India is one country which is fortunate to have many players involved. Singapore does not have one, UAE does not have one, Manila has one doubles players. In the context of property, it's an Asian property," said Bhupathi.
India will be represented in the league by world's top-ranked woman doubles player Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna, who both will play for inaugural season winners Indian Aces, and veteran Leander Paes, who is to play for new team Japan Warriors.
Bhupathi announced at the conference that roping in of Spanish stalwart and multiple Grand Slam men's singles winner, Rafael Nadal, into the league was "very exciting, from the league's perspective.
"He's one of the biggest men's stars in tennis."
Bhupathi said the league has made one important change in its format by adding the final between the top two finishers at the round robin stage.
"The last two matches became inconsequential in Dubai (the last stop of the league in 2014). This year the top two teams play the final on the 20th after season gets over on the 19th (at Singapore)."
Bhupathi said that this year IPTL, with Coca Cola as its title sponsors, would be shown live in 154 countries, including the Philippines for the first time on free to air TV.
About player pull-out at a late hour, Bhupathi said it was a thing one has to live with in sport.
"It's part of professional sport. If (Lionel) Messi is injured for the last three months, what are you going to do? It's the nature of the beast. We were lucky last year when Rafa (Nadal) pulled out we got Roger (Federer) in. If people pull out we always have someone on the sidelines who jump in."
Indian Aces franchise team co-owner Gulshan Jhurani said that though the league was successful in drawing in crowds in Delhi last year, they were thinking of expanding its reach by going to other cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.
"In Mumbai the best option would be NSCI (indoor stadium) which has a capacity of less than one thirds of that of Delhi. In that case we may have to raise the ticket prices," he said.
"We want to take it to different cities in India. As franchise team owners we are allowed to do it, provided we stay within the parameters prescribed," he explained, adding things would be seriously considered on this count only after the conclusion of season 2.
In season 2, the five-team league will be played in Japan (Dec 2-4), Philippines (Dec 6-8), India (Delhi, Dec 10-12), UAE (Dec 14-16) and Singapore (Dec 18 and 19) followed by the final on December 20.
