Bernard Tomic reportedly refused a lucrative pay from International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) worth $200,000 (AU$ 274,000) so that he can focus on the upcoming 2016 tennis season. According to Tomic, the only way for him to concentrate on his pre-season training is to give up the IPTL deal.

The 22-year-old told Fairfax Media that it was a “sacrifice” that he had to do so he could train well in December. Tomic, who is having his career-best season this year, said he would have grabbed the offer, but he had his sights on getting an even better year, next year.

“I think, it’s important now in the next few tournaments to finish off as strong as I can,” Tomic said. “Then, I had obviously good offers to go and play in the IPTL, and this and that, but I’m going to train as best as I can to do as best as I can in the Australian Open because I believe with my position and seeding I can do very well.”

Tomic is currently playing at the 2015 Shanghai Rolex Masters. He reached the quarterfinals, where he will play top seed Novak Djokovic, who leads their head-to-head series 4-0. He is the only Australian left standing at the said event after Nick Kyrgios bowed out to Kei Nishikori in the second round 1-6 6-4 6-4.

Meanwhile, the IPTL is on its second season after a successful run last year. The original four teams (Singapore Slammers, Philippine Mavericks, UAE Royals, and Indian Aces) are going to headline this year’s event with the addition of the Japan Warriors. It will kick off on Dec. 2 and will run until Dec. 20, 2015.

Australia’s Mark Philippousis and Jarmila Gajdosova join Serena Williams for the Philippine Mavericks. Kyrgios join Djokovic for the Singapore Slammers. Below is the complete lineup of player in each team.

Philippine Mavericks: Milos Raonic, Richard Gasquet, Borna Coric, Mark Philippousis, Treat Huey, Serena Williams, Sabine Lisicki, and Jarmila Gajdosova

UAE Royals: Roger Federer, Tomas Berduych, Goran Ivanisevic, Daniel Nestor, Ana Ivanovic, and Kristina Mladenovic

Indian Aces: Rafael Nadal, Ivan Dodig, Fabrice Santoro, Rohan Bopanna, Agnieszka Radwanska, and Sania Mirza.

Singapore Slammers: Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Carlos Moya, Marcelo Melo, Dustin Brown, Belinda Bencic, and Karolina Pliskova.

Japan Warriors: Kei Nishikori, Vasek Pospisil, Marat Safin, Leander Paes, Lucas Pouille, Maria Sharapova, Daniela Hantuchova, and Kurumi Nara.

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