This December 6-8, 2015, tennis fans around the world will have set their eyes to Manila for the second leg of the International Premiere Tennis League (IPTL) that will bring current, legends and rising stars like Nadal, Williams, Tsonga, Ivanovic, Monfils, Hantuchova, Berdych, Kyrgios and over 30 other tennis superstars to the Philippines.
Following last years very successful 3-day tennis tournament attended by over 30,000 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena last November 2014, the International Premiere Tennis League (IPTL), dubbed as the tennis all-stars, will be bringing multi-awarded and top-ranked tennis players to the Philippines for its second season.
“The Philippines will be another exciting leg of the IPTL’s tour,” says IPTL’s VP of Operations, Abhishek Ponia. Last year, the event was well attended proving that the Philippines is a tennis-enthused country and a fitting host for the IPTL event.
This year the IPTL has added a fifth team to its roster, promising that a wider palette of world-renown tennis athletes that will visit and play in Manila against the Philippine Mavericks.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s Hans Sy, SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc.’s Edgar Tejerero, Jean-Henri Lluilhier, Kevin Belmonte, and Haresh Hiranand are a few of the VIP names that comprise of the Philippine Mavericks’ co-owners. Team manager Jean-Henri Llhuilhier says “we are proud of have the no. 1 ranked single women’s player, Serena Williams, headlining the Philippine Mavericks (formerly called Manila Mavericks) this season. We believe that she and her fellow teammates Tsonga, Gasquet, Lisicki, Gajdosova, Huey and team captain Philippoussis will bring home the winning title this year.”
Co-owner of team and president of SMLEI, Edgar Tejerero, announces that there will be a strong line-up of activities leading up to the 3-day tennis event. “Bringing in the top tennis players of the world to our shores is a milestone for our country. We want the fans to be part of a yearlong celebration instead of a mere 3-day tournament.” As part of the planned activities, the Manila Polo Club, official club partner of the Philippine Mavericks, will be hosting an invitational tennis cup using the IPTL format of play, and whose winners will be awarded during the 3-day international tournament in MOA Arena by the team.
Powering this year’s international tennis event is presenting partner PLDT Home and Smart Infinity. In Association with VISA, CITIBANK and the Dept. of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board. The International Premiere Tennis League will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena on December 6-8, 2015. For ticket inquiries and official merchandise, log on to www.smtickets.com.
