Roger Federer returns to India for International Premier Tennis League

Swiss Maestro Federer returns to the IPTL as the captain of the UAE Royals

rAsia's one of a kind tennis tournament, which brings tennis titans from all over the world together onto one platform, is finally back for another season. What's that, you ask? The International Premier Tennis League, of course!

The league, which turned the tennis watchers in the Asian subcontinent into tennis hungry fans, has finally returned. Borrowing heavily from popular sporting leagues like the Indian Premier League, the Pro Kabaddi League and the Indian Super League, the IPTL is a step in the right direction to promote and encourage tennis in Asia, and more importantly, India.

The league, which was created by Indian tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi, was created after one critical observation was made – Asia loves tennis! Therefore, a tennis league along the lines of the IPL, the International Premier Tennis League was created, and the rest is history.

Some of the biggest names in the game will come together to fight it out in the league, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova, Sania Mirza, Serena Williams and many more. The much-awaited tennis fiesta will also see some other popular and successful tennis players square off against each other; Sharapova and Leander Paes for the Japan Warriors, Federer for the UAE Royals, Williams for the Mavericks, Nadal for the Indian Aces and Djokovic for the Slammers.

However, everyone seems to be focused on one thing only – Federer's upcoming matches.

Finishing with an excellent season last year, the Swiss led his team, the Indian Aces to a victory in the finals over the UAE Royals. The Aces finished with 39 points to take the cup.

This time however, the tables have turned, and he will be battling with the UAE Royals as their leader. Incidentally, they are the same team he beat last year in the power packed final. His match against longtime nemesis Novak Djokovic will be remembered fondly by many, and a lot of people are hoping that at least one of Federer's upcoming matches is against the World No.1.

However, it isn't all fun and games. The UAE Royals cannot afford to rely on Federer for a victory, and play their own games in the league. With big names like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal up against him, Federer may just be pipped in the league, which will spell disaster for the Royals.

Only time will tell how he will perform, and what lies ahead for the UAE Royals and the rest of the IPTL teams.