UAE Royals
SportTeam tennis
Founded2014 (2014)
Folded2016
LeagueInternational Premier Tennis League
Team history2014–2016
Based inDubai, United Arab Emirates
StadiumDubai Duty Free Stadium
ColorsBlack, Red, Green, Metallic Gold        
OwnerNeelesh Bhatanagar, Sachin Gadoya and Virat Kohli
Head coachJohn-Laffnie de Jager
BroadcastersAbu Dhabi Media
Websitewww.uaeroyals.com
Current sports event Current season

The UAE Royals were 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.

Team history

Founding of franchise

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

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
Serbia Novak Djokovic (Serbian: Новак Ђоковић)Icon players
Serbia Janko Tipsarević (Serbian: Јанко Типсаревић)Category D
Croatia Goran IvaniševićPast champions
Serbia Nenad Zimonjić (Serbian: Ненад Зимоњић)Doubles players
Tunisia Malek Jaziri (Arabic: مالك الجزيري)Uncategorized
Women
Denmark Caroline WozniackiIcon players
Switzerland Martina HingisCategory C

Team name

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

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

On 27 October 2014, John-Laffnie de Jager was named the Royals' first coach.[9]

Inaugural season

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

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

Player
Switzerland Martina Hingis
Serbia Ana Ivanovic
Croatia Marin Čilić
Croatia Goran Ivanišević
Czech Republic Tomáš Berdych
Canada Daniel Nestor
France Kristina Mladenovic

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "Mahesh Bhupathi Launched IPTL in Melbourne". Jagran Josh. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
    2. ↑ "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.
    3. 1 2 Briggs, Simon (2 March 2014). "Andy Murray Signs for Bangkok As Premier Tennis League Prepares for Take-Off". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
    4. ↑ "Roger Federer joins UAE Royals in IPTL | News | Philippine Mavericks | Philstar.com". philstar.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
    5. ↑ "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.
    6. 1 2 3 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.
    7. ↑ "Bhupathi's IPTL Opener Moved to Manila from Bangkok". The Times of India. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
    8. ↑ Service, Indo-Asian News. "Roger Federer Joins UAE Royals for 2015 International Tennis Premier League". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
    9. ↑ "International Premier Tennis League Announces Coaches for Inaugural Edition". Spicy Stars Mumbai. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
    10. ↑ "Schedule". International Premier Tennis League. Archived from the original on 23 November 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
    11. ↑ Gomes, Alaric (22 August 2014). "Eugenie Bouchard Joins the Dubai Bandwagon". Gulf News. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
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