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Sania Mirza of India returns a ball to Anastasia Rodionova of Australia in the Women's Single Final match in the XIX Commonwealth Games at the RK Khanna Stadium in New Delhi. (AFP)
India’s tennis superstar Sania Mirza will play in Dubai in December when the inaugural Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL ) presented by Qatar Airways comes to the UAE for the final showdown.
The Dubai leg will be held from December 11 to 13.
Representing the team Micromax Indian Aces, Sania will be combining her efforts with 17 times Grand Slam winner and world no.2 Roger Federer, Gael Monfils, former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic, Fabrice Santoro, and fellow home-bred and upcoming Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna. The team will also look to benefit from the tutelage of legend and teammate Pete Sampras.
The flourishing Indian diaspora has been a quintessential part of UAE’s fabric, and has played an important role in supporting important sporting events held in the country. This event, however, could test the loyalties of the Indian crowd as they choose between the UAE Royals and the most successful tennis diva India has produced.
Speaking about playing in the UAE, Sania said: “This country always has the best to offer when I play here. The crowd is very enthusiastic about tennis and even the training sessions are greatly fulfilling. Playing in Dubai this December in the IPTL will also be an enriching experience since this is a second home for me. Apart from the long hours spent in training, it’s also the familiarity of the city and the generous crowd support that helps me up my game in Dubai. Hopefully this time it’s not going to be any different. This team tennis competition will certainly build a lot of excitement in the city and be a treat for sports enthusiasts, especially youngsters who will get a chance to follow the sport and professional players closely.”
Sania has hit a purple patch and currently enjoys the confidence of a massive WTA Finals doubles win in October this year. There is still one thing that could bring this achievement a close second, and that’s the opportunity to play on the same side as the Swiss veteran Roger Federer.
When it comes to playing the UAE Royals, one of the four teams comprising Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic, Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Wozniacki, Goran Ivanisevic, Malek Jaziri and Nenad Zimonjic, Sania seems all set to take on the challenge.
“The UAE Royals has a lot of firepower, especially with the likes of Novak, Caroline and the legendary Goran Ivanisevic in the team. More than anything, I’m definitely going to have a lot of fun playing this new format and learn from the many greats and legends of the game on the court,” she said.
The Micromax Indian Aces will play the UAE Royals on December 12 at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai.
After moving to Dubai in 2010, the home advantage may have played its subliminal part when Sania tested the Dubai turf at the Women’s Doubles of the Duty Free Tennis Championship in 2012.
Along with Russia’s Elena Vesnina, Sania put up a resilient performance to secure the runners up title. She bettered this record the following year when she clinched the finals after pairing up with Bethanie Mattek-Sands of USA.
While Sania brings with her the roots of Hyderabad steeped in historical royalty, she and her team will lock horns with the fierce UAE Royals in an electrifying contest. The audience, wherever their loyalties lie, may just be the ultimate winner.
The much anticipated professional team tennis competition featuring the best current and past champions across four countries is expected to bring more than just a novel and exciting format of Tennis to Dubai.
A hub of high profile and international tennis tournaments, Dubai will be poised to welcome tennis’ biggest names when four teams – representing Philippines, Singapore, India and the UAE - battle it out for the inaugural trophy and $1 million (Dh3.67 Million) in prize money.
Ticket details for matches in Dubai: Dh405-Dh1,215 (season tickets, Corner Prime); Dh150-Dh450 (day tickets, Corner Prime); Dh189-Dh540 (season tickets, Regular); Dh70-Dh200 (day tickets, Regular); Family package (50% off on one child’s ticket for every one adult ticket purchased) Season passes available across all Sharaf DG stores in UAE.
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