TPL Hangover: International pros delighted with India’s premier tennis event

The seventh season of the TPL saw the GS Delhi Aces lift their maiden title. The tournament featured several international players who were in the mix with Indian aces in this franchise-based team competition. The tournament uses a unique format in which four matches across different disciplines (women’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s singles, and men’s doubles) total 100 points (each game worth 25 points) in the tie. The team that secures 51 points is the winner.

A member of the champion side, Sofia’s teammate Billy Harris, also lauded the event’s competitiveness. Harris, who finds himself eerily close to breaking into the Top 100, said, “These are good matches against quality players. The conditions and the atmosphere are also great. It’s good to be a part of the event before the next season.”

The home team, Gujarat Panthers, did not make it to the final four. But World No.38 Alexandre Muller, who was a part of the Panthers squad, was all praises for his experience at the TPL. When asked about his three favorite moments from the event, he said, “First is team spirit, second is the court, and third is the crowd. It’s a nice place. Everyone is nice to us here.”

Muller’s teammate, Nuria Brancaccio, also applauded the event’s organization. “It’s a really nice experience. Something new for me. It’s my first time in India. It’s a really great atmosphere, with people coming in by the crowds, so it was really a fun week,” said Nuria. Speaking on the format, the Italian said, “Yeah, it’s a bit of pressure because every point counts and we are not really used to it. Initially, it was tough for us in the beginning.”

Damir Dzumhur, a former Top 25 player in singles, was one of the star players of the event. He was instrumental in propelling the Yash Mumbai Eagles into the event’s finals. Speaking to India Sports Hub, Dzumhur expressed his optimism for the TPL, its format, and the venue.

“The event is very well organized. People are enjoying the matches. One reason people are enjoying it is the format, which is very different from what we normally play. But it’s fun and fast-paced. It really is the event’s motto: every point matters, because in the end, just one or a couple of points decide who goes to the semifinals. Just like most other players, I’m loving the event. I needed one or two matches to get used to the format, but the last two matches were very good for my team and for me.”

When asked about how the format helps in other professional events, Dzumhur said, “It sure helps. Because in this kind of format, you need to be concentrated from the first to the last point. Doesn’t matter the score; every point you have to play focused. In professional events, we have tiebreaks and deciding sets, sometimes match tiebreaks, where it is all about nerves and how you handle them. The TPL format is exactly about it. So it definitely helps in our pro matches.”

Dzumhur, who was adjudged the men’s player of the tournament, further added, “The energy inside the team is great. Indian people are very nice and warm. It’s a very good city with good people. The weather is perfect. So what else do we need!”

Other prominent players who were a part of this year’s TPL were Luciano Darderi (current Top 30 in singles), Daniel Evans (former Top 20 in singles), Pedro Martinez (former Top 50 in singles), Dalibor Svrcina (current Top 100 in singles), Irina Bara, Carole Monnet, and Ekaterina Kazionova.

After the TPL, India gears up for yet another league competition the World Tennis League.

The three-day event will be held in Bengaluru and feature prominent players such as Gael Monfils, Daniil Medvedev, Denis Shapovalov, Nick Kyrgios, Paula Badosa, Magda Linette, Elina Svitolina, and Marta Kostyuk. Indian players who will feature in the competition include Sumit Nagal, Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, Dhakineshwar Suresh, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Sahaja Yamlapallil, Maya Rajeshwaran, and Ankita Raina.