Stan Wawrinka to join IPTL: Reports
Swiss ace Stan Wawrinka, who is currently participating in the ATP World Tour Finals in London, will participate in the International Premier Tennis League, several sources have reported.
The all-star tennis league, founeded by Indian tennis icon Mahesh Bhupathi, saw its inaugural edition last year. Played across five countries – India, Singapore, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates and Japan, the league features one team from each nation – the Indian Aces, the Singapore Slammers, the Philippine Mavericks, the UAE Royals and the Japan Warriors respectively.
The Indian Aces, which was led by Roger Federer and featured American legend Pete Sampras and India’s no. 1 Sania Mirza, won the inaugural edition of the IPTL, beating the Novak Djokovic-led UAE Royals.
Federer will be part of the UAE Royals this season, with former no. 1 Ana Ivanovic on his team, as is Czech Tomas Berdych, who will face the Swiss at the ATP Finals in London.
Mirza and Rohan Bopanna will stay on with the Aces from last year, as does recent WTA Finals winner Agnieszka Radwanska and France’s Gael Monfils.
Meanwhile, the side has signed former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal this year.
World No. 1 Serena Williams will lead the Philippine Mavericks, while her male counterpart Novak Djokovic will head the Singapore Slammers. Djokovic’s longtime opponent Kei Nishikori, who upset the long-serving World No. 1 at last year’s U.S. Open, will lead his home side – the Japan Warriors.
It is not yet clear what side Wawrinka will play for.