IPTL vows bigger, better tourney in 2015

(This post also appears on ManilaMavericks.net)

MANILA, Philippines – The tennis matches may be over but the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) is promising to be back in 2015 with a bigger and better tournament.

Mahesh Bhupathi, 12-time tennis grand slam doubles champion and IPTL founder, said in a recent tweet that the Season 2 of the tournament will be "epic".

Talk about the Calm after the storm!!....on to Season 2.. We promise another EPIC. The players made this what it is. @iptl #thankyou #2015

— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) December 14, 2014

Bhupathi has recently revealed that two more cities are likely to be added to the competition next year.

The inaugural season of the tournament saw four teams – the Manila Mavericks, DBS Singapore Slammers, Micromax Indian Aces, and the Musafir.com UAE Royals – battling it out for the maiden title.

The Aces, led by 17-time Grand Slam Singles champion Roger Federer and 2008 French Open Women's champion Ana Ivanovic, beat the other teams to cop the title.

Season 1 of the IPTL also saw the likes of World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, 2013 Wimbledon and 2012 US Open champion Andy Murray, World No. 1 Serena Williams, and 2014 French Open champion Maria Sharapova, play and join in on the fun.

This early, Australian sensation Nick Kyrgios, who played for the Slammers, has expressed his excitement to join the tournament next year.

I hope @Maheshbhupathi is enjoying his break, well done on delivering big time on @iptl and I can't wait for next year!! #Slammers #IPTL

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) December 18, 2014

Federer, in a tweet posted on December 13, said he had fun playing for the Aces.

So happy for the @iptl indian aces! Great team spirit, fun and super players! Seriously enjoyed my time with thempic.twitter.com/FTpX8tLCju

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) December 13, 2014

In the first leg of the tour, Sharapova clearly charmed the Filipino fans, who gave her a warm welcome.

Thank you #Manila for the amazing welcome into your country. You made me feel like a rockstar! pic.twitter.com/5CEWWoTcaQ

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) November 29, 2014

Fil-Brit Treat huey, who also played for the Mavericks, thanked Bhupathi for the excitement brought by the IPTL.

Had a fun,incredibly memorable @iptl season. Congrats to @Maheshbhupathi for creating an exciting event that's great for the sport of tennis

— Treat Huey (@TreatHuey) December 13, 2014