MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Serena Williams made a much-awaited appearance at the franchise-based International Premier Tennis League today but could not lift Singapore Slammers as the team succumbed to a third straight defeat in the first leg.
Williams says she had “a lot of fun” and loves the team atmosphere in the $1 million event which will see remaining legs played in Singapore, New Delhi and Dubai.
Williams, who did not play on the opening two days, defeated Manila Mavericks’ Kirsten Flipkens 6-3 in the women’s singles but lost the mixed doubles partnering Lleyton Hewitt as Andy Murray and Flipkens combined better for a 6-1 win.
Novak Djokovic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic are other prominent names featuring in different legs of the new short-format tournament.
