Pinoy tennis fans are in for a treat as the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) kicks off on December 6 – 8 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena, bringing with it the world’s best tennis players. This 3-day tournament will feature top-ranked international tennis legends and rising stars including Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams who are to set to take the local tennis world on a top spin with their exceptional talent and athleticism.

This year’s tournament follows the success of the International Premier Tennis League’s first Manila leg last November 2014 which generated over 30,000 tennis fans in attendance. According to Mahesh Bhupathi, the founder of IPTL and former Grand Slam Doubles Champion, last year’s Philippine leg showed how Filipinos warmly accepted tennis and their high regard for world-class tennis players who were treated here as rock stars which made IPTL decide a return of this prestigious event to Manila.

“It’s a gathering of tennis legends and rising stars; this is a once in a lifetime experience for a lot of people. To watch Rafa or Serena in the flesh normally happens when you watch the French Open or the Wimbledon”, says Bhupathi.

Taking a breather from the tennis circuit, the world’s number one woman tennis player, Serena Williams will be here to showcase her winning ways in the 3-day tournament. Williams, who is a 21 Grand Slam Women’s Singles Title holder, will be playing for the Philippine Mavericks.

This year’s IPTL promises to be even better with the presence of King of Clay – Rafael Nadal of Spain. With Nadal in the line-up, this year’s Manila leg expects to draw more tennis fans who would like to see in action one of the greatest players of all time.

Other tennis stars including Ana Ivanovic, Gael Monfils, Daniela Hantuchova, Tomas Berdych and Nick Kyrgios will be in the country for the prestigious event to represent the five teams that will be competing in the league – Indian Aces, Singapore Slammers, UAE Royals, Philippine Mavericks and the latest addition to the league, Japan Warriors. The Philippines is IPTL’s second stop following its kick off games in Japan and with the rest of the tournament taking place in India, Dubai and in Singapore, where the league finals will be held.

TV5, the Philippines’ top sports channel and home of the best sporting events is IPTL’s exclusive broadcast partner. Its matches will be aired live via TV5 and online via Sports5.ph on the following schedule:

Dec 6 (Sunday)
o Japan Warriors vs Singapore Slammers – 4pm LIVE on AKSYON TV &SPORTS5.PH
o UAE Royals vs Philippine Mavericks – 7:15pm LIVE on TV5 & SPORTS5.PH

Dec 7 (Monday)
o Indian Aces vs UAE Royals – 4pm LIVE on TV5 & SPORTS5.PH
o Japan Warriors vs Philippine Mavericks – 7:15pm LIVE on TV5 & SPORTS5.PH

Dec 8 (Tuesday)
o Singapore Slammers vs UAE Royals – 4pm LIVE on TV5 & SPORTS5.PH
o Indian Aces vs Philippine Mavericks – 7:15pm LIVE on TV5 & SPORTS5.PH

“Its world class tennis coupled with world class TV coverage,” says TV5 President and CEO Emmanuel C. Lorenzana. This year’s IPTL will surely be an early Christmas gift for all tennis loving Pinoy fans who will be watching live at the SM Mall of Asia Arena or through television and online.
Powering this year’s international tennis event is presenting partner PLDT Home and Smart Infinity, in partnership with VISA, CITIBANK, and the Department of Tourism—Tourism Promotions Board. For ticket inquiries and official merchandise, log on to www.smtickets.com.