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“My team will be difficult to beat!” – Marin Cilic
Croatian star looking forward to visiting Manila, Singapore, Delhi and Dubai
as part of the inaugural Coca-Cola IPTL
UAE, 13th November 2014: Grand Slam champion World and No. 9 Marin Cilic’s decision to play in
the inaugural season of the Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) was influenced by
a simple thought. “For me a big part of the decision came because in the countries where we’ll play,
people can’t see players too often. It’s a really nice opportunity to interact with them and try to play
in cities I have never played in before,” says the 26-year-old Croatian star.
Together with his world famous teammates Novak Djokovic, Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Wozniacki,
Goran Ivanisevic, Nenad Zimonjic, and Arab player Malek Jaziri, Cilic will be playing for the UAE
‘Royals’, visiting countries like India, the Philippines, Singapore and Dubai to play in the professional
team tennis competition.
From 28 November until 13 December 2014, the IPTL will bring the excitement of the league format
to a sport followed by millions across the world. In its quicker and more exciting format that’s never
been seen before, the League will ‘Break the Code’ of the traditional etiquette of tennis in the world.
Describing what thrills him most about the League, Cilic says, “It is the different format of the game
compared to what we are used to on the Tour. Also, team atmosphere is very different compared to
when you play your individual tournaments. I believe the IPTL will also be interesting to follow and
play because of the many great players playing. ”
First time features such as time-outs, power points, shootouts, a running shot clock and exciting live
in-game entertainment will be an essential part of all matches. Cilic feels matches will be extremely
interesting, quicker, and different compared to what’s seen during the year, bringing more
excitement to the court. “It will be fun for sure,” he says with a twinkle in his eye.
Cilic thinks tennis fans in the UAE are in for a real treat. “This team will be difficult to beat”, he says
confidently! “It’s a big pleasure to be on the same team with these big names of our sport. With
Novak playing, Zimonjic in doubles, Goran for legends who is one of the best on the Legends Tour,
Wozniacki and Bouchard, who are among the best in the world, Jaziri who is a very dangerous
player, and I, hopefully we can win the IPTL this year and make our fans proud.”
He believes the competition has a huge, promising future. “We’ll see how fans like it but I believe it
could bring change to the tennis world,” he exclaims talking about the sports’ latest and most
exciting
spectacle. “My game plan is the same as always. To play my game and to try to win every match I am
playing. Hopefully, my team is going to play well that we come in position to win the IPTL,” he says.
Having enjoyed a superb year, the right-hander has compiled a career-best campaign in 2014.
“When I am in Asia, I always have good experiences and I always feel welcome,” he says. “Asian fans
are very faithful and I appreciate that a lot. The IPTL is surely going to be one of the best experiences
in my life. I’m really excited to play in these cities and to experience big crowds over there.”
Currently playing at the year-end finals in London for the very first time, Cilic is part of the elite
eight-man field along with Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Kei
Nishikori, Milos Raonic and Tomas Berdych in the elite eight-man field at the prestigious
tournament. “This has been my best season so far in my career. I felt I have played best tennis and
improved in almost every aspect of my game. Physically, I made another step forward so that gives
me big confidence for the upcoming season. It’s still unbelievable for me to have become a part of
history. Croatian people are really proud of their athletes and the achievements that do that for me
are a huge honor and reward for all my hard work and dedication I gave in my tennis career. It’s a big
pleasure to be next to Goran, the 2nd Croat to win a Grand Slam.”
When he gets time off during the IPTL, Cilic is looking forward to learning a little more about
different cultures in the four cities where he’ll be playing. “I have never been to Manila, Singapore
and New Delhi, so I’m going to do a lot of sightseeing and hopefully experience some things I have
never experienced in my life! I know they are also very beautiful places so I hope that I’ll have a lot
to remember when I finish the IPTL season,” he says with anticipation.
During his free time, the 6’6” star loves to learn about new cities, do some sightseeing, read and
listen to music. “My favorite holiday destination is Cavtat, Croatia, a beautiful small city on the
Croatian coast near Dubrovnik. I really like to spend my holidays in places which are easy-going and
peaceful, and you can recharge your body very quickly.”
About International Premier Tennis League
The International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) is a unique team-based tennis league founded by multiple grand-slam
winner, India’s Mahesh Bhupathi and played across 4 countries in Asia. The league will feature 21 Grand Slam Champions
and 14 current/former World Number Ones, with the winning team walking away with prize money of USD 1 million. The
th
th
inaugural edition will be held in the cities of Manila, Singapore, New Delhi and Dubai between 28 November and 13
December 2014.
The IPTL promises to ‘Break the Code’ of the game’s traditional etiquette in order to attract a new audience to the sport.
Modeled after successful international sports franchise concepts and being recognized as tennis’ newest spectacle, the
IPTL combines world-class sport and entertainment in a format that keeps both spectators and global TV viewers
thoroughly engaged.
For the latest photos, photos and updates please visit:
http://www.iptlworld.com | http://www.youtube.com/premiertennisleague
http://twitter.com/iptl | https://www.facebook.com/iptl
For more information, please contact Pooja Chaudhri on [email protected]