Serena Williams books return to IPTL

Serena Williams AP FILE PHOTO

Serena Williams may have taken a breather from tennis, but expect the World No. 1 to show her competitive streak again when she returns to Manila for the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) next month.

“Serena obviously has an amazing heart,” said IPTL founder Mahesh Bhupathi. “[The break from tennis] may be more of heartbreak than injury. But she’s booked for Manila.”

After coming so close to completing her first calendar Grand Slam this season, Williams recently withdrew from two scheduled tournaments this year as she cited the need to heal from various injuries.

But Bhupathi guaranteed Monday that Williams—who owns 21 Grand Slam women’s singles titles—will banner the Philippine Mavericks team set to compete in the IPTL Manila Leg from Dec. 6 to 8 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Superstars Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova are also slated in the showcase, which pits current tennis stars, legends and rising players in a unique format.

“Everybody wanted her to win,” Bhupathi said of Williams, who absorbed an upset in the US Open semifinals to fall just two wins short of becoming the first player in almost 30 years to win all four majors in the same year.“

“Pressure does strange things to people. But she’ll be back. She’s the best player of all time. I’m sure she’ll win more next year.”

More fans will get to enjoy the action as IPTL partnered with TV5 for the exclusive coverage of the games.

Aside from the live broadcast, it will also be shown on livestream at Sports5.ph.

“We need events like this to make tennis more popular,” said Emmanuel Lorenzana, president and CEO of Mediaquest, which represented TV5 during the contract signing Monday at Aracama in Bonifacio Global City.

“We’re very excited,” said Sports5 head Chot Reyes. “The IPTL format is friendly for TV.”

Mixing it up with the Mavericks are the Indian Aces, Singapore Slammers, United Arab Emirates Royals and the debuting Japan Warriors.

The tournament kicks off in Japan on Dec. 2 and stops in each team’s host country.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a lot of people,” said Bhupathi, a former Grand Slam doubles champion. “To watch Rafa or Serena in the flesh, this normally happens when you watch the French Open or the Wimbledon.”