The newly formed International Tennis Premier League (ITPL) will now have one multiple Grand Slam champion in its line up after another major winner bowed out.

Rafael Nadal, citing health concerns, backed out of the inaugural tournament taking place starting in late November.

"I am very disappointed to announce that I will not be part of the first edition of the IPTL. I was looking forward to representing Indian Aces and playing in front of fans in New Delhi in the exciting new League. I wish the team the very best and hope to be back next year," Nadal said in a statement.

Nadal, who has not played since Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, is still scheduled to return to the ATP Tour in Beijing later this fall.

ITPL tournament organizer Mahesh Bhupathi didn't waste any time in getting Roger Federer, who had initially declined earlier involvement in the new league back in March, to take Nadal's place on the Indian Aces team.

“Namaste India! I’m really looking forward to making my first trip to New Delhi and playing for the Micromax Indian Aces," Federer said in a televised message per India.com. "My team tells me that there are a lot of tennis fans and my supporters in the region, so I hope you can come out and support me in December. See you there!”

The Indian Aces team will now consist of Roger Federer, Ana Ivanovic, Gael Monfils, Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna, Fabrice Santoro and Hall of Famer Pete Sampras.

The ITPL will feature 24 matches in a round robin format played in four cities throughout Dubai, India, Singapore, and the Philippines.

(Photo Credit: Kieran Galvin / CameraSport)