Mahesh Bhupathi's ambitions for the second season of IPTL

With the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) roping in Rafael Nadal, as well as adding a new team, Japan Warriors, headed by Asia’s top ranked tennis star Kei Nishikori, founder Mahesh Bhupathi seems intent on making year two a success. So, it seemed obvious to ask the tennis player-turned-entrepreneur who his business inspirations are.

Bhupathi told ETPanache that he’s inspired by any first generation entrepreneur, such as Sunil Mittal, as it’s not easy to start something on your own. A fact that also holds with startup founders. "I know the guys who own Ola and Snapdeal, who have become my friends. Luckily, most of them like tennis so they are also going to come to the first match in Delhi. When we meet, obviously ideas are shared and learnings on how you can grow business," says Bhupathi, who usually sticks with advice doled out by close friends and family members.

As for the new warriors on board, Bhupathi confessed it was pretty difficult to get Nishikori into the IPTL fold. "Japanese people are very set in their ways and he is Number 1 in Asia. He’s always told us that if we get a Japanese team, he will start there. So, we got both those ticked off," he revealed.