Looking forward to Indian Premier Tennis League 2: Mahesh Bhupathi

 

After a successful season last year, Indian Premier Tennis League (IPTL) founder and star tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi today said he is looking forward to second edition of the tournament starting on December 2. (Read More in Tennis)

"It was fairly successful (last year). We are looking forward to it. It is growing slowly," he told reporters after playing a mixed doubles exhibition match where he paired with legendary Martina Navratilova against the Leander Paes-Sania Mirza pair.

Marked by camaraderie among the veteran players, Sania-Paes won the match 6-2,7-6 (7-3).

Appreciating the court at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy (SMTA) on the city outskirts, Paes said: "It is a style of court I like to play on...fast and quick. It is nice to be here (SMTA)," he said.

The 42-year-old professional, winner of multiple doubles and mixed doubles titles, said it is always special for him to play tennis in different cities of the country.

Expressing happiness over tennis legends coming over to play at the academy in her home city, Sania said the fans and friends who came to watch the match were like an extended family.

Observing that the 59-year-old Navratilova is a legend with incredible achievements in her career, Paes said he is lucky to play with her.

"Any time if we get a chance to play with a legend like Martina is phenomenal. In fact, when Sania and myself were going through Martina's records and her history, it was a kind of nerve-wracking.

"How many Grand Slams you won in singles (asking Martina) 18 and total Grand Slams 59. Need I say more? Martina's history in tennis is something all of us have read about, heard about. The humanitarian work she did out there in the world, spreading the message of goodness is just fantastic," he said.

To a query on tennis scene in India, Navratilova said it is picking up with the grand success of Sania, currently ranked World No.1 in women's doubles tennis, and Paes, though it needs to grow much bigger.

"With Sania's success and of course, Leander (Paes) winning Grand Slams in mixed doubles with Martina (Hingis), incidentally a lot is picking up ahead of the Olympics (in 2016). Leander would be around for sure. But, it takes time. Tennis is a difficult game. You can evolve the opportunities ...tennis takes own time to develop...," she said.

Asked what keeps her going even at a relatively senior age, Navratilova said she is "humbled by the opportunities" she has had and that she tried to work hard.