The Int'l Premier Tennis League, which this weekend concludes in Dubai, "should be considered a minor miracle -- and an important part of the sport’s future," according to Tom Perrotta of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Crowds have been "reasonably large and loud," and the tennis has been "energetic and fun -- and different." The contests, which "pit two teams against each other in five cumulative sets of doubles and singles, are fast-paced -- a shot clock keeps the players from endlessly bouncing the ball between serves." If a game "reaches deuce, the next point wins." Roger Federer said, “The IPTL definitely has a regular place for our sport. To have more interaction, more fun, different rules, you bend it, customize so it works for everybody involved. It’s a very interesting concept.” Perrotta notes "former doubles star" Mahesh Bhupathi created the league. Bhupathi said, "We thought it would take a full season to create (buzz) but it’s happening already.” He added that he would like to "increase the league to eight teams." Perrotta writes the IPTL is a "small step" toward making "a better tennis future" a reality (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/12).
