IPTL debut big hit at moa, Mavericks to fans: See you next year

MANILA, Philippines - This early, the men and women behind the Manila Mavericks are looking forward to the return of the International Premier Tennis League at the Mall of Asia Arena.

For three straight days last week, tennis fans flocked to the world-class arena to watch some of the great names the sport has ever seen.

Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic had everybody calling out their names early on while Goran Ivanisevic and Gael Monfils had the crowd enjoying their court antics.

Andy Murray and Serena Williams provided the perfect ending to the biggest tennis event the country has ever hosted.

“We’re looking forward to the next staging of the IPTL in the country next year,” the group which helped form the Mavericks team said in a statement.

It includes Hans Sy, Jean Henry Lhuillier, Kevin Belmonte, Haresh Hiranand and foreign partner Bala Swaminathan.

Murray and Sharapova head the Manila Mavericks squad that also includes Fil-Canadian Treat Huey.

After three days of action, the Indian Aces stood on top with 12 points, followed by the UAE Royals with 10 points, Manila Mavericks with seven and Singapore Slammers with four.

The event has moved to Singapore for the second leg to be played until tomorrow, then to New Delhi from Dec. 6 to 8 and Dubai from Dec. 11 to 13.

Last night’s schedule pitted the Royals against the Aces, and the Mavericks against the Slammers.

After three legs, the team with the most number of points will win the top prize of $1 million.

The Manila leg was a huge success, and according to the MOA Arena’s public relations officer, Stephanie Henares, over 30,000 fans watched the action for three days.

The IPTL, which offers a faster and more exciting format for the fans and the players as well, has entered into a long-term contract with the MOA Arena as its host.

“After 25 years, we are able to bring in marquee players and put the Philippines in the map as a tennis-loving nation. We’re expecting it to boost tourism in the coming years,” the group statement added.

“We would like to show our gratitude to IPTL organizer, Mahesh Bhupati, for making this event possible,” it also said.

Bhupathi, the legendary doubles player from India, serves as the IPTL managing director.

“There’s no other platform in tennis where you get to see current champions and past champions playing together,” he said in the days leading up to the Manila leg.

“It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he added.