World No 9 Marin Cilic today wished for more time between points to get the crowd going in the International Premier Tennis league (IPTl). Under the current format, 20 seconds are permitted between each point which the Croatian player feels is too little.
“This format is about new rules and breaking the code as against the regular rules we have during the season. For next year, from my point of view and others' point of view, it will probably be a bit better to have a bit more time between points to interfere with the crowd. Make it more interesting for everyone. Right now if you don't serve, you're losing the point. It's a very fast format which is good in one way but would be fun to have more interaction with the crowd.” he told reporters on Monday during a promotional event by UAE Royals’ sponsors Musafir.com.
The format was criticised by Roger Federer of Indian Aces on Sunday where he said some of the rules were unnecessary and found them confusing at times.
Also in his team is his on-tour coach Goran Ivanisevic who said the players are taking the tournament very seriously which is not what he expected. "It's (the format) very quick, fun, entertaining but very serious. The players are very keen to win. We are looking good as a team. We were skeptical of how it will be in the first year but the players have been very serious. With the time clock, you don't have time to joke around. You have 20 seconds to serve so you have to be focused. You're not playing only for yourself but also for your team. It's not easy for the body, especially for me, but I'm surprising," which resulted in a hearty laugh from the packed room.
Charismatic Ivanisevic also spoke about his rivalry with Pete Sampras to whom he lost two Wimbledon finals (in 1994 and 1998). "That guy took a few years of my life! Hopefully it won't continue. It would be good for us, the team and it's always great to be play one of the best of all times. A player my generation, with whom I've played many interesting matches before. But I would like to beat him that's for sure! I'd be happy if he lost to me!"
He also went down memory lane to reflect on his two previous visits to India as a Davis Cupper for Croatia. "It was Davis Cup competition, so I had to complain. The crowd was different. This (IPTl) is a different story though.”