Preview and Predictions for the 2016 International Premier Tennis League
The International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) is back but hardly better than ever.
Roger Federer and Serena Williams lead a depleted list of star players participating in the third year of the IPTL, a quasi-exhibition team tennis league.
The season kicks off Friday, December 2, in Tokyo, where the Japan Warriors, featuring Kei Nishikori, take on the Indian Aces.
This year, the league lacks the star power it featured in the first two seasons, when Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Caroline Wozniacki also played.
In fact, after big names like Djokovic, Murray and Nadal decided not to play, there were rumors that the tour might be cancelled this year. But confirmations from Federer and Williams, two of the biggest stars in the game for the past decade, put those rumors to rest.
However, citing ongoing political unrest in the Philippines, league officials announced there would no longer be a team in that country.
So the league is one team and a few stars short. Still, the IPTL remains the best place to see top-notch tennis during the offseason. It's like a pick-me-up for those thirsty for tennis action.
The following is a preview and prediction for the 2016 IPTL season.
The Teams
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Indian Aces
Roger Federer
Eugenie Bouchard
Feliciano Lopez
Ivan Dodig
Sania Mirza
Thomas Enqvist
Mark Philippoussis
Japan Warriors
Kei Nishikori
Fernando Gonzalez
Jelena Jankovic
Kurumi Nara
Marat Safin
Serena Williams
Carlos Moya
Kiki Bertens
Marcelo Melo
Nick Kyrgios
Rainer Schuettler
UAE Royals
Ana Ivanovic
Tomas Berdych
Daniel Nestor
Martina Hingis
Goran Ivanisevic
Thomas Johansson
Roger Federer Returns
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Federer's long-awaited return will take place December 10 when the 17-time Grand Slam winner joins the Indian Aces in Hyderabad, India, to play the UAE Royals, led by Berdych.
In July, Federer announced he would use the rest of the year to recover from a knee injury.
Although Federer could play in singles, mixed doubles and doubles, the IPTL matches are never more than one set long and the let-play serves, power points and shot clock for servers quicken the pace.
How Federer performs might provide a sneak peak into just how competitive he might be in 2017.
Serena Williams Hoping to Bounce Back
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For the second straight year, Williams arrives at the IPTL after a disappointing loss in the semifinals of the U.S. Open. But it's the first time she's playing in IPTL without the No. 1 ranking.
Like Federer, Williams comes into the tournament having skipped the Asian swing and the year-end tournament.
Although reclaiming the No. 1 ranking remains within reach, Williams will be focused on winning Grand Slams. The IPTL format is a good tune-up for the rusty champion. She gets to see multiple serves, including those from ATP tour players, via mixed-doubles.
She's scheduled to play in three matches, two in Singapore and one in India.
Possible Intriguing Matchups
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Intriguing matchups are one of the best parts of IPTL. Martina Hingis could end up playing singles against Ivanovic or Williams.
A doubles specialist now, the five-time Grand Slam champion is the same age as Venus Williams. It will be interesting to see where her singles game fits in with today's players.
Each team has a retired star. We could see the Warriors' Safin take on the Royals' Ivanisevic.
Then there are those matches between up-and-coming players against superstars. When Karolina Pliskova upset Williams in the semifinals of the 2016 U.S. Open, it went on the record books as the young Czech's first victory against the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
However, although unofficial, Pliskova first defeated Williams during the 2015 IPTL season. Of course, it didn't count as a WTA Tour win, but you wonder how much confidence Pliskova gained from that victory over Williams.
Nick Kyrgios Tries to Reset His Career
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Kyrgios is scheduled to play at all venues. He can use the extra time on court after a three-week suspension, reduced from seven, when Kyrgios agreed to counseling with a sports psychologist.
The ATP made the unusual stipulation after Kyrgios appeared to tank a game during the Shanghai Masters.
Despite his "bad boy" image, Kyrgios remains one of the most exciting players on the tour.
Two-time Grand Slam champion and Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt—who mentors Kyrgios—told reporters: "I think he can win over the public...Obviously what happened in Shanghai was disappointing and (especially after) he made a few steps forward the week before and at the Davis Cup tie in Sydney a couple of weeks before that."
Predictions
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Although the biggest stars grab the headlines, success in the IPTL depends on having solid doubles players and a strong secondary female player.
Federer and Williams will make limited appearances. When Federer is away, Feliciano Lopez will pick up the slack for the Aces, who also have veteran doubles standouts Mirza and Bopanna. Bouchard is their top female singles player.
The Slammers are defending champions. They won with Kyrgios, Wawrinka, Pliskova, Belinda Bencic and Dustin Brown.
Kyrgios, Baghdatis and Bertens make for a strong core for the Slammers this season. Doubles specialist Marcelo Melo, 6'8", will come in handy. The Slammers also get Williams for three matches.
Berdych and Ivanovic are playing the full schedule for the Royals. But Ivanovic is coming off of an injury, and Berdych hasn't been 100 percent either.
It's hard to do better than Mirza and Bopanna in doubles. The Aces also have Dodig as backup for doubles.
Because of the better benches, the Slammers and Aces should face off in the finals in India with the home team taking the trophy.
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