The Coca-Cola IPTL has brought the
world’s best and leading tennis professionals, from both the ATP and WTA tours,
together on one special stage. Those who pay keen attention to the proceedings
at the professional circuit know their tennis stars well. But for those who pay
only occasional glances at the sport, there are a lot of variables lying hidden
in this motley mix of adventurous tennis.
On the lighter side though, it’s always
fun to determine which player competing in the tournament is the best-looking
of them all. Of course, the ladies of the ilk of Maria Sharapova and Ana
Ivanovic bring in plenty of glamour, but let’s just focus on the men this time,
who are pretty fine physical specimens themselves.
There’s the unconventional appeal of the
rugged-looking Goran Ivanisevic, who is an intrinsic part of the UAE Royals
outfit. The Coca-Cola IPTL has presented the fun side of the Croat, who has
been seen joking around with his teammates and sharing in the merriment of the
crowd. He’s become a huge hit with the masses who, have thronged to watch him
come up with a stellar show of powerful tennis and quintessential humour.
Giving company to Ivanisevic as crowd
pullers are Daniel Nestor, Mark Philippoussis and Carlos Moya, who form a part
of the Manila Mavericks, and Pat Rafter and Bruno Soares for the Singapore
Slammers. All these guys have always possessed a certain universal appeal; the
Aussies Philippoussis and Rafter, in particular, were heartthrobs in their
heyday. And in the Coca-Cola IPTL, they have pulled and rallied the crowd
behind them with ease.
Equally forceful has been the presence
of names like Lleyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios who, representing the Singapore
Slammers, bring to the fore the famous Aussie spirit. Kyrgios in particular has
become an instant hit with his rapper style of on-court fashion. The younger
generation of the tennis fans gathered at the Happiness Open at New Delhi are
finding the 19-year-old quite interesting – with his game and beyond.
Then there’s Tomas Berdych, yet another
star inclusion in the Slammers’ team. Berdych is yet to find his best rhythm in
India, but that hasn’t prevented the fans from going moony-eyed over the tall,
blue-eyed Czech. A similar example can be made of Marin Cilic, the reigning US
Open champion, whose quiet personality has accentuated his appeal, intriguing
the Indian tennis fans considerably.
The tidal wave of love, adoration and
respect pouring in for all the players gathered to the play the Indian leg of
the Happiness Open has been tangible. But the response for all the other
players pales when compared to the awe generated by the presence of Novak
Djokovic and Roger Federer, for the Royals and Aces respectively.
Both these superstars are polar
opposites in their personality. The Serb is one who can crack a joke at
himself, without any self-consciousness, while the Swiss is known for his
gentlemanly style, sticking to convention and tradition. Most of the Indian
fans had only heard or read these descriptive facets of the players. At the
Coca-Cola IPTL however, they have had the chance to see these attributes
first-hand.
An entire nation has waited with bated
breath to watch these players come and play in a completely new playing field
and they weren’t disappointed, with the Swiss grooving to Bollywood beats and
the Serb subbing himself in to play in the doubles match.
Federer and Djokovic have completely
mesmerised everyone with their game and their style, and as such it’s only
fitting to term these two players as the most captivating ones of the Coca-Cola
IPTL.
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