PH tennis star Huey thrilled to handle Manila Mavericks

MANILA, Philippines – Fil-American doubles tennis star Treat Huey is excited to handle the star-studded Manila Mavericks team that will vie for the challenge trophy and the $1-million prize money in the inaugural Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League set to fire off Friday at the Mall of Asia here.

Huey will serve as the playing-coach of the home team that will be bannered by Grandslam champions Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova and French tennis star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Daniel Nestor, Kirsten Flipkens and Carlos Moya complete the Mavericks.

"As a playing-coach, I'm really excited to coach Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and I'm really looking forward to it," Huey told Philstar.com after the press launch of the tournament presented by Qatar Airways.

The Manila Mavericks will play the UAE Royals in the opener Friday, then take on the Micromax Indian Aces on Saturday and the Singapore Slammers on Sunday.

Murray and Sharapova, who are already on their way to Manila as of posting time, will open the Mavericks' campaign in the men's and women's singles matches.

Murray will clash with US Open champion Marin Cilic while Sharapova will play rising French tennis star Kristina Mladenovic, who replaced the  injured world no. 8 Eugenie Bouchard in Friday's opening tie against the UAE Royals. Huey will be paired with Nestor in the men's doubles match against Cilic and Nenad Zimonjic. The Fil-American, who was born in Makati, will have Flipkens as her mixed doubles partner and will take on the pair of Miladenovic and Zimonjic. The legends match will feature Moya against Goran Ivanisevic. 

"I've already talked to all the players on my team and everyone is excited for tomorrow," Huey said.

The playing-coach, who has won three ATP doubles titles with his partner Dominic Inglot of Great Britain, relishes the pressure of playing at home.

"It will be a lot fun. I don't think it as a pressure. I will enjoy every moment of the next three nights for sure," Huey said.

All the matches of the Mavericks will be played starting at 7:30 p.m. while the first tie is scheduled at 4:00 p.m. The organizers said that the MOA Arena gates will be opened as early as 3 p.m. for all the ticket holders.

On Saturday, all eyes will be on the singles match between Sharapova and Serbian Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in a match featuring two of the most beautiful women in tennis.

The Manila leg matches will be aired over Fox Sports and local TV partner Balls Channel.