Why Tennis Superstars Are Bucking ATP and WTA Establishment to Play in IPTL

Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray and Ana Ivanovic are among a host of professional tennis stars playing in the inaugural season of the International Premier Tennis League. 

By doing so they are adding credibility to the new league and causing controversy with the established ATP and WTA tours. 

While their presence has excited fans throughout Asia, the superstars appear to be at odds with ATP and WTA officials. Leaders from the two tours seem a little leery about having their biggest names turning the short offseason into a second season. 

Yet, judging from the response from fans and the reaction from players, it appears the IPTL may be around for a while. Why not? The league has tapped into something the ATP and WTA seem to ignore: How to entertain the casual tennis fan. 

The IPTL matches feature dancers, a DJ, a shot-clock for serves and no add games. Fans in Manila, the first stop among the four venues, were treated to Murray and Sharapova playing mixed doubles and Gael Monfils leading a team dance. 

"With the kind of high we started off in Manila we can safely say that we're off to a good start," IPTL managing director Mahesh Bhupathi told the Times of India.

Aaron Favila/Associated Press

The emergence of the IPTL has caused quite a stir. Die-hard tennis fans, skeptical at first, are enjoying seeing their favorites during a time when they would otherwise be going through tennis withdrawal. Casual fans, those who tune in just to see the big names, are seeing several stars on the court at the same time.

Meanwhile, the players and ATP and WTA officials seem to have flip-flopped on length of season issues. The biggest beef the officials seem to have is the post-season wear and tear this might cause players.

Players have long complained about long seasons. However, with little time off, all of a sudden they are willing to play an additional three-week season, and travel to Asia to do it.

They seem down-right giddy about it. 

Why not? They are being treated like royalty. They are introduced to the crowd like they are rock stars. They are probably making more money per game than they make at most big ATP or WTA events. 

The league owners reportedly spent $24 million on assembling the four teams. Top players will reportedly receive $1 million per match. They will also get to chose how often they play.

Those types of arrangements is why ATP President Chris Kermode called the league a "glorified exhibition." However, so far competition has been real. Murray looked as tense and tortured as usual in his match against Monfils. Williams displayed serious exasperation when she struggled with her serve.  

Besides, a trophy will be rewarded to the winning team and they are keeping score. Do players have to look miserable to take competition seriously?

Perhaps Kermode considers it exhibition because players receive no rankings points. 

Yet, the removal of the burden to defend or accumulate points is contributing to the relaxed and playful atmosphere. In fact, not being associated with the WTA or ATP allows the players to let loose. Being paid for participation instead of advancement, has all the players smiling and dancing. 

The fans are loving it. 

Also, the IPTL is bringing big names to big markets that have been ignored by the Americanized and Eurocentric world of professional tennis. The International Tennis Federation is based out of London. The WTA and ATP both have headquarters in Florida. Three of the four Grand Slams are played in Europe and North America. 

Although the ATP and WTA have expanded into the booming Asian market, there are no big tour events in Manila or New Delhi, both among the top-six metropolitan areas in the world. Tennis fans in those areas are hungry to see these superstars. 

Another problem with the ATP and WTA's Asian swing is it comes post Grand Slams. So players cherry-pick events. This leads to splintering draws with a handful of big names here and there. With the exception of Beijing, most ATP and WTA tournaments in Asia are not joint-tour events. 

The IPTL guarantees that fans will see superstars at each venue. This includes retired stars such as Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Each match includes a singles match between "legends."

Imagine a tennis fan in Singapore having to chose between the WTA's year-end event where they might see Serena Williams, Simona Halep or Petra Kvitova or an IPTL event where in one weekend, at one venue they are guaranteed to see Williams, Sharapova, Federer, Tsonga, Sampras and Agassi?

Fans in Manila tweeted about their excitement. A recurring theme was how they could not wait to see "live tennis" in their country.

Bhupathi declared Manila a success and talked of plans to gradually expand the league. In Manila, Bhupathi spoke about the sustainability of the league's made-for-TV format with reporters. 

"

We want to sustain this to 25 years, 30 years, and we want to make it something that both the fans and the players enjoy...The grand slams will still be the four pillars of our sport because they are institutions on their own. But I think after what we've seen over the last three days there's a place for our format.

"

The format is easy on the players. Each match is one set, with no add games. The superstars understand better than anyone how to manage injuries and to avoid overuse issues. They also know the difference between having to endure a one-set match versus a three or five-set marathon.

Many of the matches are crowd-pleasing doubles. The players get to bond with others and enjoy something other professional athletes take for granted: observing play from the bench.

"

Ana Ivanovic plays stewardess for fellow pros on IPTL flight to Singapore ... Photos here: http://t.co/Tr3G2lKzr6 pic.twitter.com/YktGGjsEdc

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) December 1, 2014"

The "bench" experience is a hit with the players. Australia's Nick Kyrgios, who plays for the Singapore Slammers, leaped from his seat to high-five teammate Serena Williams after she stabbed a volley for a winner. 

Monfils and Indian Aces teammate Rohan Bopanna did Bryan Brothers style chest bumps. Bopanna, a doubles specialist, got to share the spotlight with singles superstars. The singles stars saw doubles play at its finest. What better way for Sharapova to improve her net play than to have to intercept balls during competition? 

There seems to be little downside to participating in this league.

What the IPTL has is a seemingly endless supply of magic moments for fans and players. You have Berdych tweeting selfies with the entire cast and crew. Ivanovic played flight attendant to fellow players. Monfils is being...Monfils. 

The fabulously funny photos of players interacting is just one byproduct the IPTL has delivered that suddenly seems lacking at ATP and WTA events. Of course there are pre-tournament parties and Kid's Day exhibition.

Those events just don't seem to produce the spontaneous camaraderie on display at these IPTL events.   

The WTA and ATP reframed from discouraging participation. Instead, officials offered dismissive comments about the new league. They use the term "exhibitions" to refer to the matches. 

Melissa Pine, the WTA's Asia-Pacific vice president, expressed concern about players being ready for the upcoming season. "It’s for them to ensure that they’re striking the right balance in the off-season between capitalizing on promotional opportunities, while at the same time ensuring they have the proper rest and recovery for the upcoming season," Pine told The National.

Federer was one of the last to agree to play in the league. In February he told the Gulf News, “Firstly, I want to see whether it takes off or not."

It's taken off and Federer decided to come along for the ride. Who knows where the IPTL is going? It could crash and burn or soar. Right now, the fans and players are digging the on-flight entertainment.