IPTL to have two new cities next year: Mahesh Bhupathi

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Mahesh Bhupathi, founder of IPTL, has confirmed that two more cities will be added to the IPTL calendar next year.

"We're definitely going to add two cities next year," he said. "We have a lot of interest now, we have about four cities ready to sign on the dotted line by the end of next month.

"We unfortunately can't do all four, just for the sustainability of slow and steady growth, so we'll take two and we'll announce them probably when we announce our players in the week of February 14."

The combination of current and previous tennis stars and the charm of the quicker format has helped IPTL's growth as a premium tennis tournament and in popularity.

"In Manila last week, they haven't seen world-class tennis ever and it was very heartening to see the fans receive the players.They were treated like The Beatles, especially Maria (Sharapova) and Andy (Murray)."

With Roger Federer making his first performance in Delhi- before the first edition of IPTL coming to a close in Dubai next week- fan base, popularity, and brand value of IPTL is guaranteed to skyrocket.

Mahesh Bhupathi having been in the circuit for almost two decades and having won 4 men's doubles grand slams is certainly the right candidate to take IPTL forward. With his expertise and his know how Tennis in India surely has a bright future.