The Biggest Things to Watch at the 2015 International Premier Tennis League
The 2015 installment of the International Premier Tennis League is underway and already there have been some surprises.
Nick Kyrgios torched Tomas Berdych, Novak Djokovic withdrew and Maria Sharapova missed what might have been her best chance to beat Serena Williams.
The IPTL season runs through December 20 and makes stops in Kobe, Japan, Manila, Singapore, New Delhi and Dubai.
In its second year, the IPTL shuffled rosters a bit. Winners of the 2014 IPTL Championship, the Indian Aces no longer have superstar Roger Federer on the team. Federer now plays for the UAE Royals. Although Federer has yet to join his team, the Royals are first in the standings.
Gael Monfils played in the first round for the Indian Aces but has sense withdrawn due to injury.
We know fans are flocking to these venues to see their favorites like Federer, Rafael Nadal, Williams and Sharapova. Those are the biggest names on IPTL rosters. However, there's more to the IPTL than megastars.
The following are the biggest things to watch this season.
Nick Kyrgios and Stan Wawrinka as Teammates
1 of 6
Nick Kygrios and Stan Wawrinka were involved in one of the more unsavory storylines of the 2015 season.
Kyrgios uttered disparaging remarks about Wawrinka's girlfriend during a match at the Rogers Cup. Kyrgios remains under a suspended suspension.
Now the two are teammates for the Singapore Slammers. When Djokovic withdrew, the Slammers added Andy Murray and Wawrinka to the roster.
It will be interesting to see how Kyrgios and Wawrinka coexist as teammates.
Serena Williams' Mini Slump
2 of 6
Yes, they have only been exhibitions, but Williams is 0-3 in singles and 1-4 in all matches she has played since the 2015 U.S. Open. That puts her on a four-match losing streak in singles.
How odd is that? In 2013, Serena lost just four matches all year.
Caroline Wozniacki defeated Williams in an exhibition in Denmark. Karolina Pliskova beat Williams in her IPTL opener. Williams looked sluggish, and her timing was off.
Still, Pliskova is ranked No. 11 and has been in the top 10. Losing to Pliskova in a one-match shoot out after nearly half a year away from competition is not the worst thing.
But the loss to No. 81 Kurumi Nara was shocking. Nara, who was carried onto the court by teammate Marat Safin, is 5'1", 117 pounds. Williams' tennis bag probably weighs nearly that much.
Of course these "matches" are just one set. Yet, you wonder how these wins against might motivate Nara or Pliskova if they land in Williams' draw at the Australian Open.
Speaking of the Aussie Open, last year's finalist, Sharapova plays for the Japan Warriors. But instead of her taking on Williams, the Warriors trotted out tiny Nara.
The way Williams has been playing, Sharapova may have missed a golden opportunity.
Rafael Nadal Adjusting to IPTL's Quick Pace
3 of 6
Rafael Nadal ended his year on a high note. After a dismal start, Nadal climbed back into the top five.
Although considered the clay-court king, Nadal turned his season around on the hard courts in the fall.
The IPTL is played indoors and on fast, hard courts. This should be good preparation for the Australian Open.
The courts won't be the only fast thing Rafa has to think about. The IPTL keeps an NBA-like shot clock on players between serves. They get just 20 seconds before a buzzer sounds. Players get just 45 seconds during changeovers. Time violators lose a point.
Nadal has a reputation for taking his time during matches. It could cost him in IPTL play.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Legendary Matchups
4 of 6
It was throwback Thursday in Kobe when ace king Goran Ivanisevic pounded serves at Safin.
That's one of the treats IPTL delivers. Every showdown features a throwback match between "legends." Carlos Moya, Fabrice Santoro and Mark Philippoussis are the other legends.
They are older and a bit slower. But every now and then we get a glimpse how they played in their prime.
It's fun to watch and the legends are clearly having fun playing in front of packed houses.
Dynamic Doubles
5 of 6
Speaking of legends, doubles specialist Leander Paes is older than Safin and Philippoussis. However, Paes remains one of the best doubles players on the planet. He's also one of the most entertaining players in the IPTL.
Last year, Paes skipped the IPTL and played in a rival Indian-based team tennis league.
Unlike on the ATP and WTA Tours, where doubles play is relegated to the undercard, in the IPTL men's doubles and mixed doubles can be the deciding factor in the outcome of a match.
Besides seeing some of the top doubles players, IPTL also matches unlikely partners such as Williams and Milos Raonic. Could we see a Kyrgios/Wawrinka pairing? Now that would be interesting.
Selfie Celebrations
6 of 6
What may have started organically has developed into a tradition in IPTL: the post-match selfie.
Many of these players rarely get a chance to hang out with fellow competitors in a competitive, yet relaxed setting. Perhaps that's why they go selfie crazy during IPTL play.
Just follow the hashtag #IPTL on Twitter and you will see all types of selfies. And it's not just the players. Fans lucky enough to snag a seat at one these events have taken to Twitter to post selfies while holding their tickets.
The IPTL is even running a contest for fans who post selfies with their tickets. Some lucky fans can win a chance to sit on the bench with the team during a match.
Whoever lands the chance to sit with Williams and Rafa on the bench can take the ultimate selfie.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
