It proved to be a frantic 24 hours for Mahesh Bhupathi and his brainchild, the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL)—a brand-new competition styled on cricket’s Indian Premier League.

No sooner had he announced that Rafael Nadal, his headline act for the India-based team Micromax Indian Aces….

We regret to announce that due to health reasons, #RafaelNadal will not be playing in the #IPTL. We’re rooting for you, #GetWellSoonRafa!

…than he followed it with even bigger news: The Spaniard’s place would be taken by Roger Federer.

Make way for the newest #IndianAce! Watch @rogerfederer create history at #IPTL. #BreakTheCode #MicromaxIndianAces

Nadal’s withdrawal from the tournament, which will take place in four cities across the Middle East and Asia during the first fortnight of December, is said to be precautionary after missing the entire North American US Open Series with a wrist injury that has sidelined him since his fourth-round exit at…