The UAE Royals have recruited Roger Federer as they bid to win the 2015 International Premier Tennis League.

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The 17-time grand slam winner is the leading name in a star-studded UAE line-up, which was announced at the draft held in Dubai.

The team will also include world No. 8 Tomas Berdych and US Open champion Marin Cilic as well as Ana Ivanovic, Kristina Mladenovic, Daniel Nestor and Goran Ivanisevic.

Reigning champions the Indian Aces selected Rafael Nadal as their number one pick, joining Gael Monfils, Agnieszka Radwanska, Ivan Dodig, Fabrice Santoro and home stars Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna.

The Singapore Slammers recruited world No1 Novak Djokovic, who represented the Royals last year, along with Nick Kyrgios, Karolina Pliskova, Carlos Moya, Belinda Bencic, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Marcelo Melo.

The Manila Mavericks made Serena Williams their No1 choice, followed by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, Sabine Lisicki, Mark Philippoussis, Jarmila Gajdosova, Borna Coric and Treat Huey.

This year’s competition, which takes place December 2-20, sees a fifth team introduced to the format, the Japan Warriors, who announced Maria Sharapova and Japan’s Kei Nishikori as their first two signings, along with Vasek Pospisil, Leander Paes, Marat Safin, Lucas Pouille, Karumi Nara and Daniela Hantuchova.