Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Nick Kyrgios and other top players confirmed for new exhibition event in Dubai, sponsors unknown

Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Nick Kyrgios and other top players confirmed for new exhibition event in Dubai, sponsors unknown

Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Nick Kyrgios

A new event called the World Tennis League will be held in Dubai from December 19-24 featuring marquee names such as Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Nick Kyrgios and Simona Halep among a host of others.

The format will feature the best men’s and women’s tennis players in two-set singles and mixed doubles matches, with 10-point tie-breakers to decide the final set. However, the sponsors for the event are still unknown.

A player lottery is set to be held on November 1, at the end of which 16 players will be split into four teams. Dutch DJs Tiesto and Armin Van Buuren are also set to perform at the tournament to enthrall fans.

FS Video
https://twitter.com/ReemAbulleil/status/1575815635401330688

Also Read: Novak Djokovic confirms problems with his wrist, believes lack of game time has been the biggest challenge over his ‘worrisome’ injury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znVOU0GMnxs

Similar tennis leagues have come and gone

In the past, similar format leagues such as the International Premier Tennis League (brainchild of Mahesh Bhupathi) have come and vanished for not enjoying enough spectator support, with ticket prices for such exhibition events set extremely high.

Recently, in fact, the Laver Cup, where Roger Federer retired from professional tennis, was also criticized by fans on Twitter and called ‘elitist’ for its high ticket prices, with the best seat getting sold in the end for as much as 45,090 pounds.

Laver Cup
Laver Cup

However, some people also justified the rise in prices using the demand-and-supply economics principle. One user commented, “Me, a person who studied economics in high school: if the stands were full, the prices were justified.”

The 2022 Laver Cup was probably one of the most sought-after editions in the event’s history, with the Big 4 all present and part of Team Europe i.e. Djokovic, Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray. The first day of the event on Friday saw Nadal and Federer teaming up for doubles.

The doubles was billed as the Swiss maestro’s last professional match before retirement. Federer was given a huge reception by players from both teams who carried him over their shoulders in what was a tearful exit for both fans and competitors present at the arena.

Also Read: Rafael Nadal speaks about the special camaraderie between him and Roger Federer, calls himself ‘fortunate’

Also Read: Roger Federer used to have Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Dennis Rodman’s ex wife posters in his Swiss home