Cape Town - Roger Federer will make his return from injury in Asia next month after his participation was confirmed in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).
Federer has been sidelined since his defeat in the Wimbledon semi-finals back in July after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion is due to make his first competitive appearance at January’s Hopman Cup, in Perth, but he will prepare for that event by representing the Indian Aces in the IPTL.
The competition - widely seen as tennis’ answer to cricket’s 20-20 short-game format - takes place in Japan, Singapore and India between December 2 and 11, with Federer the most high-profile men’s player taking part in the event.
Federer will be joined in the Indian Aces line-up by the likes of Feliciano Lopez and Eugenie Bouchard, and although both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are not competing, there are some big names playing for the opposition.
Serena Williams will represent the Singapore Slammers along with Nick Kyrgios, while Japan’s Kei Nishikori is part of the Japan Warriors line-up.