Federer will play for the Indian Aces (©GettyImages). Roger Federer has been signed up to play for the Indian Aces' in the inaugural International Premier Tennis League.
The move comes after Rafael Nadal withdrew from the competition as he plans to use the off-season to prepare for the 2015 campaign.
The Spaniard, who was the Aces' original marquee signing, was due to lead the Aces' in the four team tournament.
The world number three is set to return in Beijing with the hope winning the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
However, having missed a massive chunk of the 2014 season, including the US Open, Nadal will use this time to regain his fitness ahead of the new season.
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Change of tone from Federer
The 17 time Grand Slam winner was at first apprehensive about competing in the new team event when it was talked about.
Mahesh Bhupathi, the Premier Tennis League's founder, shed some light on the situation, saying: “Earlier on, when I was talking to the players a year and half ago, Roger was expecting his set of twins. I don’t think he could be making too many commitments at that point,”
“Obviously now he is very sure about his schedule and we are very happy to have him play for India.”
Federer, who's last major title came at Wimbledon in 2012 against Andy Murray, said in a YouTube video: "I'm really looking forward to making my first trip to Delhi,"
"My team tells me that there's a lot of tennis fans and supporters of mine in the area."
The teams
Federer's team consists of 14 time major winner Pete Sampras, 2008 French Open winner Ana Ivanovic, Frenchman Gael Monfils, Fabrice Santoro and two home favourites Rohan Bopanna and female player Sania Mirza
The other three teams are Manila Mavericks, who boast Andy Murray, five time slam winner Maria Sharapova, former world number one Carlos Moya and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga among others.
Singapore Slammers have 18 time major winner Serena Williams, American legend Andre Agassi, former number one Lleyton Hewitt, 19-year-old Nick Kyrgios and Tomas Berdych as their most recognised stars.
Finally UAE Royals, based in Dubai, will be able to call on the service of current number one Novak Djokovic, current women's number seven and former top seed Caroline Wozniacki, 20-year-old rising star Eugenie Bouchard, Richard Gaquet and 2001 Wimbledon winner Goran Ivanisevic.
The tournament kicks off on the 28th November in the Phillipines.
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