World No 1 Rafael Nadal is believed to have committed to the controversial new International Premier Tennis League developed by Indian doubles tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi.

According to a report in The Telegraph, Nadal will become the highest-profile player involved in the launch of the competition at an auction among teams in Dubai this weekend.

Nadal is understood to be earning USD 1 million a night for his contribution as one of the "marquee" players in the tournament. According to the ground rules, players who have been No 1 or who have won a slam will be able to nominate which matches they play, and so avoid.

The competition will be staged between November 28 and December 20 in five cities - Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Singapore and Hong Kong - and each team will bid for its players on Sunday in Dubai. There are at least three players of the women's top ten who are also understood to have committed to participate in the event.
Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska are believed to have put their names down but Roger Federer is not thought to be involved. Andy Murray is said to be still in discussions with Bhupathi, who briefly had a role on Murray's commercial team last year.