Leander Paes to Play in Mahesh Bhupathi's International Premier Tennis League
After missing out on the opening edition of Mahesh Bhupathi's International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), India's doubles veteran Leander Paes will be a part of its second edition. He will be a part of the IPTL's latest franchise, the Japan Warriors.
When Mahesh Bhupathi was asked during last year's International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) why Leander Paes wasn't a part of his league, he'd clarified that Paes was approached for the tournament, but he had turned down the offer.
India's winner of 15 Grand Slams seems to have changed his mind now about his former playing partner's venture. Leander has been drafted into the IPTL's fifth franchise, the Japan Warriors. The new franchise's face will be former women's world No. 1 Maria Sharapova. It will also include Japan's world No. 4 men's singles player Kei Nishikori.
The player draft for the second season was held in Dubai on Sunday. Roger Federer, the 17-time Grand Slam champion, who represented the Indian Aces in the opening season, will turn out for the UAE Royals this time. That void will be filled by Rafael Nadal though. The Aces have retained their Indian players Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza for season 2.
IPTL 2015 will kick off in Japan on December 2 and conclude on December 20.