The Tennis Premier League (TPL) has a number of outstanding worldwide gamers, women and men, taking part in together with the cream of Indian expertise like Sumit Nagal and Rutuja Bhosale, on a fast-paced 20-point format, for pure leisure. However, at its coronary heart, the focus of TPL is the wholesome development of Indian tennis.
A vibrant product for tv, as Sony Sports will get able to broadcast the occasion for the second yr from December 12 to 17, there’s a sure aura about the league that’s triggering constructive vibes for the recreation.
There is actual cash for the gamers. The finest Indian participant with two Challenger singles titles this season, Nagal will get ₹18.5 lakh, as he strengthens Gujarat Panthers, together with Karman Kaur Thandi who pockets ₹8.5 lakh.
Quite considerably, the gamers get a median of about ₹5 lakh every this season, as in comparison with about ₹1.5 lakh in 2019 in the second version.
“We are extremely happy, positive and hopeful with the way things have shaped up, considering the growth of the league each year,” mentioned Kunal Thakkur, the younger founding father of TPL.
Like the means the Laver Cup turned to black to be distinctive in its second version in 2017, as in comparison with the blue of the Australian and US Open, the crimson clay of Roland Garros, and the inexperienced grass of Wimbledon, the TPL could have a charcoal gray tennis court docket at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune this yr.
Landmark season
“We will have the charcoal grey tennis court for the first time in India. We wanted the fifth edition to be a landmark season for us and wanted to make it look very different. Like the unique format we have, it will be a unique colour that we hope will be attractive and novel on television.
“The colour of the ball remains the same and we feel that the ball will be nicely visible. It is indeed a task to paint the courts and again resurface it to original colour for regular use later. Yet, we feel that it would be worth the effort,” mentioned Kunal.
It isn’t just the look that issues for TPL. It has a cell app that’s making an attempt to have interaction all the tennis aspirants throughout the country and produce them on one platform to assist healthily propel the recreation. It is predicted to develop to be the one-stop store for all tennis wants.
“The response to the app has been fantastic. With the support of AITA and the State Association in Maharashtra, we plan to host many grassroots-level tournaments in the country. We have already organised more than 30 tournaments in Mumbai alone. The players and coaches are extremely happy with the way things are moving. The main focus of the app is to get the entire tennis community together on one single platform. It is a unified effort to provide the players all the support and facilities that they need to turn professionals”, defined Mrunal Jain, the co-founder of TPL.
With the gamers’ welfare as the key, the TPL has already made a distinction in the careers of a few of India’s main gamers.
“The league was started to promote tennis, encourage, motivate and help the Indian players. We are glad to share that one of our team owners, Punit Balan, has signed long-term agreements with Ankita Raina, Rutuja Bhosale and Arjun Khade. This year we have also extended support to our No.1 singles player, Sumit Nagal. TPL is also ensuring a higher amount each passing year for the players who are participating in the league. The more we promote the players, it will catapult the growth of tennis in the country,” felt Kunal.
The league can be on a bigger scale this yr with huge promotions.
“Top-ranked players are participating, and well-known celebrities have joined hands with TPL. The ultimate goal for Mrunal and I is to get the top players around the world to come and participate in this league. It is a dream to get the likes of Roger Feder, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to play in this event,” mentioned Kunal.
More pleasure, much less exertion
Even as the environment turns into electrifying with the fast format, the exertion is way much less for the professionals at the finish of the season, owing to the 20-point format for every rubber.
“The response to the 20-point format has been fantastic. The players were a little sceptical in the first season, but they all love the format. Many academies have started organising tournaments in the same format. We feel that it is the perfect format for television as it becomes difficult to hold the attention of the audience for long nowadays. As every point matters, the match becomes very exciting, keeping the viewers glued to their screens. The audience at the venue has a great time, as even a layman who does not follow tennis can very easily understand the scoring system,” noticed Kunal.
It isn’t just the black court docket, the 20-point format, or the presence of main gamers that attracts the consideration of the followers. The presence and involvement of Bollywood stars Taapsee Pannu, Rakul Preet Singh, Sonali Bendre, Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor, and Sonu Sood other than international tennis stars Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, significantly enhances the worth of the entire enterprise.
“Cricket and Bollywood have the maximum reach in our country. So, if we have to make tennis popular and take it to the masses, there is nothing better than getting the support of Bollywood stars. The stars have added to the reach and awareness of the league. We are very fortunate that these celebrities have come forward and extended their unconditional support to the league and tennis. Thankfully, many prominent personalities are willing to support and promote various sports other than cricket,” mentioned Kunal.
More than something, the celebrities are eager that tennis will get its due as it’s a nice recreation.
What issues finally is the vibrant environment at the stadium with the presence of followers in energy.
“We are expecting a packed stadium this year. As we have the support of all our affiliated academies, we have invited all of them and are providing transport, to come and witness the league with their students, friends and family. Any person who is passionate about tennis can just download the TPL app and claim a free season pass for the event,” revealed Kunal.
There can be a wonderful option to join with the followers by merchandise.
“Yes, plans are underway to create a complete line of TPL merchandise which will be available on our App. These will also be given to the players and academies who are performing well on the App,” mentioned Kunal.
Driven by curiosity
It is a real curiosity in the development of tennis that drives the league and all the related efforts. The most glamorous Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket is the everlasting function mannequin for each aspiring league. Tennis isn’t any exception.
“Mrunal and I had a dream to create a tennis league on par with the IPL. It sounded impossible when we talked about it in 2018. It had also looked difficult to sustain a tennis league and grow it each year. We have been able to achieve that. It has been a struggle each season. We have faced several difficulties, but each challenge has taught us how to deal with different issues. The difficulties have been successfully tackled. We are now hoping that with the love, support and blessings of the tennis fraternity, we will be able to achieve our dream of taking tennis to every home,” mentioned Kunal.
Tennis Premier League for certain provides appreciable worth to the recreation in the country.
