'We wanted Paes last year too'

Among the new additions to the second edition of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), Leander Paes’ name evinced considerable interest. But IPTL founder and managing director Mahesh Bhupathi insisted that he had tried hard to rope in him for the inaugural edition as well.

Paes was part of Vijay Amritraj’s Champions Tennis League in 2014 but this year would be playing for high profile IPTL, which would feature a rivalry of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal during its December 10-12 India leg.

Bhupathi said he was glad to have taken in Paes with whom he once ruled the men’s doubles before acrimoniously parting ways. Paes would be playing for Japan Warriors.

“I had tried hard to get Leander last year also, but he had signed for Champions Tennis League. We all know he is a great entertainer. He was earlier part of World Team Tennis, so he likes to play in team atmosphere. This formats suits him,” Bhupathi said during the announcement of Maruti Suzuki's crossover car Nexa's association with IPTL team Indian Aces.

"We went out early this year to get Leander so that we do not lose him out this time.”

Sania, who has been retained in the Indian Aces, is coming on the back of a dream season which saw her grab 10 titles along with Swiss Martina Hingis. “It is a few weeks left in the season and I will soon be thinking about next season. There is still time to worry about the Olympics. I hope Indian Aces defend their title,” she said.
 Bhupathi promised that a much better experience awaits fans in the second edition of IPTL. "The experience of last year will make the IPTL better this year. Honestly, we did not do any planning about audience, how many spectators watched etc but this year it will be better," he said.

Later, Bhupathi and Sania paired against Leander Paes and Martina Navratilova in an exhibition match. Delhi was the last station of the three-city Tennis Masters which before this was held in Kolkata and Hyderabad. Paes and Martina won the first set 6-2 before Bhupathi and Sania made it a set all by taking the second 7-5.  At that point the match was called off with Navratilova announcing, “We want to leave on a friendly note with a set all.”

A capacity crowd roared their approval after enjoying an evening with the tennis stars.