Mahesh Bhupathi & Lleyton Hewitt throw light on IPL-style International Premier Tennis League

So the new IPL style tennis league is a reality, finally. With big money and bigger stars, the International Premier Tennis League slated for the end of the year promises a bonanza for tennis lovers. The matches will be held across five different cities including Mumbai.

Soon after they announced the league, Mahesh Bhupathi, co-organizer, and Lleyton Hewitt, who has committed to the concept whole-heartedly, elaborated on the road ahead. Excerpts:

So when do we get to know the names of people who are playing?

HEWITT: There's a lot of player interest, absolutely. I think that's the best part about it. I'm sure when it gets announced in two weeks from now there will be big signings, which is great.

BHUPATHI: First, it is just the start my friend. Yes, we've got a pretty exciting player field. We are going to announce that in a couple of weeks.

Tell me about the format?

BHUPATHI: It's five sets, men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles, mixed doubles, legends singles. No particular order. The home team gets to pick the order on the night of the match. One set, no-ad scoring, tiebreaker at 5-All. The winning team is the one to win the most number of games at the end of the day, not the number of sets.

How many members will there be in a team, including both men and women. Also, give me an idea of the salary cap in the auction, which will be held in Dubai on March 2…

BHUPATHI: It's a minimum of six and a maximum of 10. Owners have the freedom to choose more men or women depending on their choice. They will also have the right to decide the order of the matches, depending on whose home game it is. Each team has a salary cap of $10 million. There is a salary minimum, as well, so they have to spend $4 million.

Bringing the legends into the fold of the league is an interesting idea. What’s the thought behind it?

BHUPATHI: Each of the legends who will be playing are icons with huge fan followings. Imagine seeing some of the greatest tennis players playing in Mumbai. I am sure fans will just love it and it will help boost tennis in Asia.

Mahesh, I am sure you are in talks with Indians who will be owning the Mumbai franchise. Give me an idea?

BHUPATHI: Yes, I am… but you need to wait a little more to know the name. There’s no question the owners will be icons in their own right and that will add to the USP of the league.

The IPL’s not all positive. There’s the issue of player fatigue, injury, tiredness. The same issues can plague this league isn’t it?

HEWITT: For me personally, I pick a schedule throughout the year that suits working into Grand Slams. So for me to get quality matches in the month of December, sometimes it's very hard those first couple weeks going in before the Australian Open. In a lot of ways it's huge positives.

The guys get great hit-outs against quality players, but not quite as demanding because you don't have to play the full sets as well. It's exciting for me in terms of that. Training so much in November/December can get pretty difficult at times as well.