By Chris Oddo | Wednesday, February 26, 2014

 

A million dollars a night for an exhibition? That's what Rafael Nadal could be making this winter when the International Premier Tennis League opens its doors.

Photo Source: Corleve

A million dollars a night, for an exhibition? Believe it, because it *might* be true.

Yesterday in the Telegraph, Simon Briggs reported that Rafael Nadal is “believed to be” earning $1 million per night for signing on as one of the marquee players in a new international tennis league spearheaded by Indian doubles player, Mahesh Bhupathi.

The competition will be staged in five cities—Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Singapore and Hong Kong—and could also feature Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Agnieszka Radwanska and Andy Murray.

But nothing appears to be set in stone.

More on the new league from Sky Sports:

Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, Richard Gasquet, Agnieszka Radwanska, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki look nailed-on participants in the tournament which is modeled on cricket's Indian Premier League.

However, organizers have yet to produce a list of which players will be 'for sale' in Sunday's auction.

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams are all still reportedly weighing up their options, while 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has already distanced himself from the project.

IPTL Format

The idea of the format will see five teams based in five Asian cities - Hong Kong, Mumbai, Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Each team will bid for players with budgets of up to £6.6 million and sign up men, women, and former tennis greats.

Every match will be played over five sets but the difference is that one set will be contested in men's singles, one in women's singles, one in men's doubles and one in mixed doubles - with no ad scoring.

If it remains level after four sets, the tie could come down to the 'legends'.