New Delhi: A billion hearts are waiting with bated breath as Roger Federer gets ready to wield his racquet for Indian Aces in IPTL and the Swiss tennis legend said it is a "pleasure and privilege" to play for the first time in India.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner, Federer will play in India for the first time when he turns up for Indian Aces against Singapore Slammers in the third leg of International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) here this evening and he said it is a special feeling.
"It is special (to be in India) to say the least. I have played in many places in the world, but there is nothing like playing somewhere for the first time. India is a big country with lots of history, tradition in culture or sport and to come and finally play here is really a pleasure and privilege. I can't wait to really start and feel the crowd and see how it is going to be like. It is a different place," he said.
"Hopefully they will be excited to see me, see tennis. I think it is wonderful to see tennis is a big sport in the country and the potential is there with all the great players India has produced over the years, so for me to come here and feel the crowd and see them get involved and excited, it is all about that really."
Talking about the concept of IPTL, Federer said: "I have been following IPTL. I have been seeing how the Aces have been doing. I have been checking out the scores a bit, I have been trying to understand the format before I step into the court because there are a few rule changes and you have to be aware of them or else you might lose because of the rules. You have to play in the right way.
"But I think it is very exciting. It definitely has a place in tennis, something more fast-paced, more exciting. In tennis, everything goes very serious and professional, the way it is supposed to be, and it is not going to go away but I do believe we have more potential, opportunities. IPTL is entertaining, the players seemed to be unbelievably excited and very pumped up and happy to be here and it carries over to the crowd. I am very happy at the success of IPTL so far," he told 'Headlines today'.
Asked if IPTL has given tennis something new, Federer said: "Yes, absolutely. You know we analyse everything at the very end, once the tour is over. So far, it seems very good and promising. It is wonderful that in a big continent like Asia you have something like this. It is at a time when players don't want to practice, if they want to play, they can or can go on vacation.
"It is an opportunity for everybody to be involved. It is nice that top players are showing up and this is a good opportunity and it seems it could be around for a long time and for me, personally, it is very exciting to be here.
