Tennis exhibitions are often terrible. Most of the time, the pros will play short of their best in order to protect their fitness. When they do go all out, it’s just like watching a shorter version of the real game with less at stake.

The International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), a round robin five-team league, makes watching exhibition tennis much more refreshing. The rules are tweaked in order to make the tournament more fun to watch and to participate in. Two teams go head to head in five cumulative sets of doubles and singles. There is a shot clock to prevent the players from endlessly rallying the ball across the court. Once a set, the team can attempt a “power point” which counts for two points if won. If there is a deuce, then the next point wins. Each team consists of a group of world tennis stars that represent a host country. The IPTL can be very good for the future of tennis since its format is refreshingly fun yet still very competitive.

The IPTL makes its stop in the Philippines this December 6-8 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Tennis stars like Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic and many more will grace the Philippine courts and showcase their skills. Tickets are pretty pricey but there are still ways to enjoy the experience without burning a significant hole in your pocket.

There are 6 games that are going to be played here in the Philippines. The Philippine Mavericks will go up against all teams except the Singapore slammers. If you want to catch Nadal play, but still want to see the other matches then getting a general admission pass is a good idea for day 1. This will allow you to see other tennis stars in action without spending too much money. Save it for the third day (more on this later).

If you are a hardcore tennis fan and plan to watch majority of the games, then the best bet will be to get a three-day pass. It will save a lot of money plus get you a permanent seat for all three days.

For some games, general admission just isn’t enough. It’s a good idea to save the patron seats for the crucial games like the Philippines vs UAE or the Philippines vs India.

Getting general admission seats almost always means first come first served. This means that one will have to fight for his seat on game day. It’s wise to arrive at the venue early in order to avoid the madness once the gates open.

Even if the team that’s playing doesn’t interest you, it won’t hurt to stay see their match. One ticket will get you in for the two games so do your wallet a favor and make it worthwhile.

If luck is on your side then staying after the games might get you autographed merchandise and freebies. You may even get to meet and greet the stars! Hey, you never know!

The two biggest stars of the tournament are set to meet on the 3rd day of the IPTL. This is probably the most highly anticipated game, and will probably have the biggest audience. Make sure to get tickets early for a decent seat to see this once in a lifetime game.

The favorites of the competition are the UAE Royals, led by Ana Ivanovic. They are slated to face the Philippine Mavericks on day 2 and will prove to be the toughest test of Serena’s team. Come to support the Philippine team in their quest to upset this year’s favorites!

Got tips? Share them in the comments!