Roger Federer: IPTL is serious tennis

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Roger Federer: IPTL is serious tennis Roger Federer insists that he is taking the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) seriously as he bids to help the UAE Royals win on home soil. The three-day UAE leg of the competitions gets under way today at the Dubai Tennis Stadium – a venue where Federer has won seven Dubai Duty Free Tennis titles – as the Royals take on the Philippine Mavericks. It is the second time that Federer has taken part in the franchise-based tournament and he was keen to stress that it is much more than just exhibition tennis. “What is an exhibition? Is it a kids’ day where one player is hitting with Scooby Doo like in Australia or is it one where you have 15,000 people who are serious about tennis? It is the question of who is in the crowd,” Federer said after narrowly losing to Indian Aces star Rafa Nadal in New Delhi. “Is the crowd filled with 10-year-olds because it’s the kids’ day or is it because people want to see great tennis and support the Indian Aces and the UAE Royals? “It depends on how you see it, to me it is serious tennis with the fun aspect of playing for your team.” Despite being in just its second year the IPTL has attracted plenty of big names, with Federer set to play world No. 2 Andy Murray tomorrow when the Royals face the Singapore Slammers. Joining Federer in Dubai as part of the Royals team is 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic and 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych. Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic will also be in action for the UAE side as well as French ace Kristina Mladenovic. Fans will also have the chance to watch a host of former greats in action, with Goran Ivanisevic set to face fellow big-server Mark Philippousis in today’s legends match. “It is phenomenal to see the legends,” added Federer. “I would like to give them a shout out for playing so well because I think it is really hard for them to do what they are doing.” Read the original story at: Roger Federer: IPTL is serious tennis