The UAE Royals is a tennis team based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates that competed in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL). It is one of four charter franchises that participated in the IPTL's inaugural 2014 season where it finished as runners-up. The team started its 2015 season with marquee signings in Roger Federer and Ana Ivanovic.
 | |
| Sport | Team tennis |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Folded | 2016 |
| League | International Premier Tennis League |
| Team history | 2014–2016 |
| Based in | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Stadium | Dubai Duty Free Stadium |
| Colors | Black, Red, Green, Metallic Gold |
| Owner | Neelesh Bhatanagar, Sachin Gadoya and Virat Kohli |
| Head coach | John-Laffnie de Jager |
| Broadcasters | Abu Dhabi Media |
| Website | www |
Team history edit
Founding of franchise edit
On 21 January 2014, IPTL announced that one of the charter franchises for the league's inaugural 2014 season would be based in the Middle East.[1][2] On 2 March 2014, IPTL revealed that the Middle East franchise would play its home matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[3] The team is owned by Neelesh Bhatnagar,[4] a leading Dubai-based businessman, and Sachin Gadoya, managing director of Musafir.com, an Internet-based travel agency. Indian cricketer Virat Kohli was also introduced as the co-owner of the franchise on September 10, 2015.[5][6]
Inaugural draft edit
The Dubai franchise participated in the IPTL inaugural draft on 2 March 2014, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Players selected by Dubai were[3]
| Player | IPTL Category |
|---|---|
| Men | |
 Novak Djokovic (Serbian: Новак Ђоковић) |
Icon players |
| Janko Tipsarević (Serbian: Јанко Типсаревић) |
Category D |
 Goran Ivanišević |
Past champions |
| Nenad Zimonjić (Serbian: Ненад Зимоњић) |
Doubles players |
 Malek Jaziri (Arabic: مالك الجزيري) |
Uncategorized |
| Women | |
 Caroline Wozniacki |
Icon players |
 Martina Hingis |
Category C |
Team name edit
By May 2014, the team was being referred to as the UAE Falcons.[7] By June 2014, the Falcons had become known as the UAE Royals.[6]
Home venue edit
The UAE Royals will play their home matches at the Dubai Duty Free Stadium[8] for the 2015 season. The team played their home matches at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex[6] during the first season of the league.
First coach edit
On 27 October 2014, John-Laffnie de Jager was named the Royals' first coach.[9]
Inaugural season edit
The Royals opened their inaugural season with a road match on 28 November 2014, against the Manila Mavericks in Pasay, Metropolitan Manila, Philippines. It played its first home match on 11 December 2014, also against the Mavericks.[10]
Television coverage edit
On 22 August 2014, IPTL announced it had reached an agreement for the Middle East and North Africa television broadcasting rights with Abu Dhabi Media.[11] The rights continue with Abu Dhabi Media for 2015 season.
Current roster edit
| Player |
| Martina Hingis
|
| Ana Ivanovic
|
| Marin Čilić
|
| Goran Ivanišević
|
 Tomáš Berdych
|
 Daniel Nestor
|
 Kristina Mladenovic
|
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Mahesh Bhupathi Launched IPTL in Melbourne". Jagran Josh. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
- ^ "Mumbai One of the Franchises in Cash-Rich International Premier Tennis League". CNN IBN Live. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
- ^ a b Briggs, Simon (2 March 2014). "Andy Murray Signs for Bangkok As Premier Tennis League Prepares for Take-Off". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
- ^ "Roger Federer joins UAE Royals in IPTL | News | Philippine Mavericks | Philstar.com". philstar.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- ^ "Get Together at Wimbledon with Announcement of Team Owners for India, Singapore, Manila and UAE" (PDF) (Press release). International Premier Tennis League. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ a b c Ousman, Allaam (25 June 2014). "Djokovic Leads UAE Royals at Inaugural IPTL: Dubai Will Host Finale of $1 Million Tournament from December 11–13". Emirates 24/7. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ "Bhupathi's IPTL Opener Moved to Manila from Bangkok". The Times of India. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Service, Indo-Asian News. "Roger Federer Joins UAE Royals for 2015 International Tennis Premier League". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- ^ "International Premier Tennis League Announces Coaches for Inaugural Edition". Spicy Stars Mumbai. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Schedule". International Premier Tennis League. Archived from the original on 23 November 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ Gomes, Alaric (22 August 2014). "Eugenie Bouchard Joins the Dubai Bandwagon". Gulf News. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
