With the IPTL set to kickoff, there have been a couple of withdrawals from the event. Novak Djokovic was the most prominent withdrawal and was replaced by Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka. On a lesser known scale, Daniela Hantuchova and Sabine Lisicki have also withdrawn from the event. Hantuchova was set to play for the Japan Warriors while Lisicki was on the Philippine Mavericks.
The Rest Of The Japan Warriors
Despite Hantuchova’s withdrawal, the team still has two more female singles players they could use. The Warriors have former world number one Maria Sharapova at their disposal. They also have a fellow Japanese women’s player, Kurumi Nara, at their disposal. To finish out the team, the Warriors have five male players. Their squad of males is led by 2014 US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori and one half of the 2014 Wimbledon doubles champions Vasek Pospisil. The team also has the likes of Marat Safin, Leander Paes, and Lucas Pouille.
The Rest Of The Manila Mavericks
Just like the Japan Warriors, the Mavericks also have two other players on the ladies side despite Liscki’s withdrawal. The Mavericks drafted world number one Serena Williams. The American will be making one of her first major appearances on a tennis court since her stunning US Open upset loss to Roberta Vinci in the semifinals to deny the American a shot at the Calendar Slam. Serena officially returned to the tennis courts last week in an exhibition against good friend Caroline Wozniacki in Denmark. The other WTA player on the Mavericks is Jarmila Gajdosova.
Even with Lisicki’s withdrawal, the team still has some major firepower which is continued on the men’s side. Their star man is Milos Raonic with Richard Gasquet as a very strong second singles option. Borna Coric is an extremely reliable third singles option as well. To round out the team, the Mavericks chose another big server, Mark Philippoussis, as their former champion and chose fellow Filipino Treat Huey as their doubles player.