5 things the Indian Aces players learned from the Delhi leg
The Delhi Leg of the IPTL was raucous, a celebratory mode hanging over the Indira Gandhi IndoorStadium as the fans got to cheer tennis biggest superstars, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. TheIndian Aces, who lost their undefeated streak after a heartbreaking last point win for PhilippineMavericks at Manila, steamrolled their opponents this time around by massive margins.The home team playedthree matches, one each against Philippine Mavericks, Legendari Japan Warriors and OBI UAERoyals. And not one of those teams even came close to challenging the Aces.Here are five things the Acesplayers would have learnt from the Delhi leg.
#1 There is no substitute for home support
There is a reason why all around the world, teams yearn for home support. There is something amazingly adrenaline-pumping about a loud, noisy home crowd cheering you and egging you on.
That is what the Indian Aces were reminded about as they won their three home games in great style, while receiving warm adulation from the crowd. In fact, the Aces avenged their narrow sudden death loss to the Mavericks in Manila by winning 30-12 in a completely one-sided tie.
Even if one accounts for the fact that the Mavericks were without Milos Raonic, who stunned Nadal in Manila, the bridge was too large to gap - only one set lasted more than 30 minutes. The Aces even put one against UAE Royals who were led by none other than the great Federer himself.
Only Japan Warriors came close to the Aces’ scoreline but even they didn't really put a scare into the home team.