Twenty20 Tennis

[Oscar]

Not sure if this is the right place for this but just seen a tweet from Neil Harman about Twenty20 tennis. Looking a bit further found this link http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/leading-players-targetted-twenty20-style-league-in-usa/story-fnb64oi6-1226610365609

Just wondered what people thought about this. I have to admit I thought they were trying to shorten the season not make it longer but what do I know?

[silver]

Is this just another April 1st prank?

[Oscar]

Wasn't sure but there's quite alot of links to it - if so, trust me to be caught!

[Linda]

There was an article about this a week or more ago - I can't remember where I saw the post (maybe the ATP general thread?) but I remember responding to it. As I don't subscribe to The Times, I don't know whether the article referred to by Harman is further genuine news on it or an April Fool.

[Jan62]

Extract from The Times article - I think this is an April Fool (but then I know nothing about cricket and have no real idea what Twenty/20 is in that context)


Tennis is preparing to go Twenty20 with a blast of quick, made-for-television sets starring the best players in the world. The event is backed by the wealth of princes and governments across the Middle East and Asia and is to be installed by the end of the year in an effort to derive the maximum benefit from its present golden age. [..........]
A November launch is being readied for the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), a city-based franchise league that will showcase not only those winning today’s grand-slam tournaments, but also past stars. The planning is that the inaugural league will be played from late November until just before Christmas, with players criss-crossing Asia, as matches are played on a home-and-away basis.[..........................]

It is understood that a number of the present crop of top names are already contracted to the IPTL and they will be auctioned — in much the same way as the Indian Premier League operates in cricket. [......................]

That Asia is being pinpointed as the focus for the league’s launch is no great surprise. The demand for tennis in countries such as Japan, India and Qatar is exceptional, but so is the need to make the matches shorter and more explosive, keeping as much tradition as possible on the one hand but bowing to the edgier desires of the youth.

[cazza99]

I initially thought it was an April Fool's joke. If it is it has spread to other newspapers.


Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2302222/Murray-Djokovic-targets-new-Asian-tennis-league.html)- Tennis set to go Twenty20 with Murray and Djokovic lined up for new Asian league

[pabbers]

Erm and lose the one bit of precious time off they have in an already crowded season..........Andy lose his weeks in Miami..........I don't think so somehow.

[Linda]

The concept of 20/20 is that a match lasts a certain amount of time, such as an hour. Whoever is in the lead at that point is the winner. It might be used for exho tournaments but I can't see the ATP or slams going down that route.

[hfwardhouse]

I still find it hard to believe Andy would be involved in something like this especially during his precious end of year training block.

[Oscar]

I still find it hard to believe Andy would be involved in something like this especially during his precious end of year training block.

I think you're right - I think it might well have been an April Fool but it's interesting to see how these things spread

I don't think I'm going to get excited about it - back to slams and MAsters events eh? Onwards and upwards!

[cazza99]

There are other article in google that are not dated April 1st.

news.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/aussie-stars-pat-rafter-lleyton-hewitt-and-sam-stosur-among-targets-for-twenty20-style-tennis-league/story-e6frfkp9-1226610605673) - Aussie stars Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur among targets for Twenty20-style tennis league

Telegraph India (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130402/jsp/sports/story_16736799.jsp#.UVq6ejc4Gjg) - Now, tennis is set to go the IPL way

[pabbers]

Whilst I can imagine the retired players getting involved, I seriously can't see it appealing to the current players.

[Bardot]

If the $5 million dollar fee is correct then that is almost a fifth of Andy's entire careers earnings and for 3 weeks work. Andy has already changed his schedule with the 6 week "break" after the Australian Open and there's similar after Wimbledon. The intensity of the the tennis you'd assume wouldn't be high and it actually might be quite good fun. Once it has finished he could head to Australia and continue his preparations there.

[cazza99]

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2013/apr/02/andy-murray-international-tennis-premier-league) - The ITPL means more work – and money – for world's top tennis players

[JAMES4578]

Seen reports Andy is scheduled to take part. Whilst it may not be too exerting a fair bit of travel involved. Not sure this is ideal and weakens arguments of players who complain about length of season.

[david1610]

If Andy does this - and I suppose it is his decision to maximise his earnings during a relatively short playing career - we have to be consistent and not be sarcastic about other players earnings from exhibition matches.
I must admit I am surprised because I thought Andy was prioritising his results in major competitions and rankings. Just hope it does not come back to bite him in the 2014 season.

[cazza99]

Eurosport (http://asia.eurosport.com/tennis/murray-management-deal-could-pave-way-for-tennis-ipl_sto3698218/story.shtml)- Murray management deal could pave way for tennis IPL