Tennis: World No. 1 Djokovic to lead S'pore team at IPTL; SG50 ticket discounts for fans

Newly-crowned Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic. PHOTO: AFP

SINGAPORE - World No. 1 tennis player and newly-crowned Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic is set to play in Singapore colours when he leads the Singapore Slammers at this year's International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).

The Serbian player, who recently won his ninth Grand Slam title, is headlining the Singapore team, which also includes former world No. 1 Carlos Moya of Spain, Australia's up-and-coming player Nick Kyrgios as well as Swiss Belinda Bencic and Czech Karolina Pliskova.

Unlike last year, the composition of players for all teams will be for two years instead of one season.

This year's IPTL will begin on Dec 2 in Japan, stopping in the Philippines, India, and Dubai before finishing the season in Singapore where the overall champion will be crowned from Dec 18-20 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

In a specially recorded video message to his local fans and played at the launch of the IPTL on Thursday, Djokovic said: "I have such a great team, and we are going to rock the stage!"

Singapore's team last year in the inaugural season of the IPTL included world No. 1 Serena Williams and former world No. 1 Andre Agassi. The team finished bottom of the four-team league. The Japan side is a new addition to this season.

Founded by Indian doubles legend Mahesh Bhupathi, the IPTL is a mixed team tennis league modelled largely on cricket's Indian Premier League. It features an abbreviated format of tennis including innovations such as a shot clock and power points.

Said Bhupathi: "Our inaugural season saw past, present and future champions playing in front of packed audiences across Asia. Players and fans enjoyed our 'new code' of tennis. We are pleased to return to Singapore for the second year running and tennis fans can look forward to another exciting event."

Local tennis fans who purchase their tickets early will enjoy a $50 discount on all tickets to the Singapore leg in celebration of the Republic's Jubilee year. This discount, in celebration of Singapore's 50th anniversary, applies to all season passes. The passes go on sale from Friday with the promotion valid till the end of August.

Three-day passes, which are transferrable, begin from $195 and are available through Sports Hub Tix. Day tickets will be announced at a later date.

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