CTL format fresh, exciting, say tennis stars

Former top ranked tennis stars Greg Rusedski and Juan Carlos Ferrero Monday said the new format of the inaugural Champions Tennis League (CTL) will attract a lot attention and subsequently increase interest in the sport in India.

CTL comprises six teams divided into two groups, with each team playing each other on a home and away basis.

The team winning the highest number of games of a single-set match wins the tie. The top team of each group will play against each other in the final. Each tie consists of five matches - legends, men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.

"It is an exciting format. People can come to the stadium to see all kinds of players in a short span of time. We have got legends, current singles players, doubles specialists and young Indians playing, so it is very intriguing," Rusedski said at the post-match press conference of the opening match between Delhi Dreams and Punjab Marshalls.

Rusedski, of Punjab Marshalls, was beaten by Delhi Dreams' Ferrero 1-6 in the legends match here at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) Complex Monday. Delhi claimed the contest, winning 25 games as against Punjab's 19.

"In this format, every game counts. It's the number of games teams have to concentrate on winning. I got off to a bad start against Ferrero. I would have liked to win a couple of more games. That would have helped my team despite my loss," he said.

Rusedski said he took some time to adjust to the DLTA court and by the time he acclimatised to the conditions, it was too late.

"The court is quite slow and low. So I took time to adjust to the conditions. In these one-set contests you have to be on your toes right from the start," the Briton said.

Winning team captain Ferrero said it was his maiden visit to India and he was enjoying the experience so far.

"I had a lot of fun playing against Rusedski today. We have played each other a lot of times in the past. This is my first visit to India and it has been an enriching experience so far," he said.