Top attraction ... Lleyton Hewitt has held preliminary discussions about the concept. Source: Jeff Chiu / AAP
Australia's most recent grand slam winners are among champions being targeted in a Twenty20-style team tennis league set to begin in Asia at the end of this year.
Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur have held preliminary discussions with organisers of the International Premier Tennis League, with the made-for-television concept having the backing of Tennis Australia officials.
The brainchild of former Indian doubles star Mahesh Bhupati, it would see franchises based in cities across Asia and the Middle East and comprise five matches of one set only - a men's singles, a women's singles, a men's doubles, a mixed doubles and a legends singles, hence the attractiveness of former champions like Rafter and John McEnroe, who are still active on the Legends Tour.
Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams loom as marquee players, with Roger Federer unlikely to be available this year as he is committed to a string of exhibitions in South America. Franchises could spend up to $10 million on players.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, who is travelling to Uzbekistan for this weekend's Davis Cup tie, said he had been kept informed by Bhupati.
"We are aware of it. He has kept us up to date with what is going on," said Tiley.
"I think he has been talking to all of the top players. Sam and Lleyton, in particular ... and I know Pat Rafter will be a target. It is good for them and their profile in the Asia region."
That the event, which has similarities to the Team Tennis concept that works successfully in the US during their summer, would be played across Asia is not surprising. There is a strong demand for tennis in the region. India and China have expressed an interest in eventually hosting a grand slam event.
As the Australian Open is billed as the grand slam of the Asia-Pacific, it is understandable TA also has an interest in the event.
"There would be some cross promotion, some partner opportunities. We have already sat down with Mahesh and we are in the process of exploring what (those opportunities) can be," Tiley said.
At a time where the demands of players for greater financial reward has forced the organisers of grand slam events to drastically increase prizemoney, it is an avenue to an untapped revenue stream.
Tiley said there is good reason to support an innovative event that is shorter and more explosive given its potential to boost the tennis audience globally, particularly attracting younger fans.
"As an organisation, we support anything that will put more money into the back pockets of players," Tiley said.
"It will create more global interest in the sport beyond the traditional tennis fan.
"Tennis needs a big uplift in compensating players beyond the grand slams. Anything ... that brings investment and funding, we support that."
It is not the first time a Twenty20 style tennis format has been floated, as Essendon coach James Hird is a key player in the Gemba group's bid to host a national-based event held over 10 days.
Murray and Djokovic were among the proponents when it was raised three years ago.
"Well, we proposed it. We will have some talks here in Australia that will be crucial, I think, for upcoming years," Djokovic said at the time.
"I'm happy that all the top players are willing to participate in these talks and try to contribute and fight for their rights."
It does raise questions about the legitimacy, though, of the regular complaints from players about the length of the tennis season.
Given the end-of-season championships occur in late November and the Davis Cup final is held on the opening weekend of December, it would mean competing players would have only a minimal break before arriving in Australia for the season's first grand slam.
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