Looking forward to IPTL 2: Mahesh Bhupathi

Hyderabad: After a successful season last year, Indian Premier Tennis League (IPTL) founder and star tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi said he is looking forward to second edition of the tournament starting on December 2.

"It was fairly successful (last year). We are looking forward to it. It is growing slowly," he told reporters after playing a mixed doubles exhibition match where he paired with legendary Martina Navratilova against the Leander Paes-Sania Mirza pair.

Marked by camaraderie among the veteran players, Sania-Paes won the match 6-2,7-6 (7-3).

Appreciating the court at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy (SMTA) on the city outskirts, Paes said: "It is a style of court I like to play on...fast and quick. It is nice to be here (SMTA)," he said.

The 42-year-old professional, winner of multiple doubles and mixed doubles titles, said it is always special for him to play tennis in different cities of the country.

Expressing happiness over tennis legends coming over to play at the academy in her home city, Sania said the fans and friends who came to watch the match were like an extended family.