(CNN) -- The fledgling International Premier Tennis League suffered a blow when two of the world's most recognized female athletes snubbed the event. 

Max Eisenbud, the agent of both Maria Sharapova and Li Na, told CNN on Thursday that neither would be appearing in the team tournament that is set to make its debut in Asia this November. 

Sharapova transcends tennis and has long been a magnet for sponsors -- the Russian is perennially listed as the world's richest female athlete by Forbes -- while China's Li is one of the marquee names in Asia, having captured a second grand slam title at the Australian Open in January. 

Li was "confirmed" as one of the entrants by the League in a press release last May. 

"Maria and Li Na will not be participating," Eisenbud said in an email. 

Mahesh Bhupathi, a grand slam doubles winner and the main man behind the project modeled after cricket's highly successful Indian Premier League, will now be hoping he can secure the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. 

Roger Federer, the 17-time grand slam champion and still the biggest name in the sport, told Gulf News this week he generally backed the idea. 

The player list is expected to be revealed Friday. 

"Firstly, I want to see whether it takes off or not," Federer told Gulf News. "I know a lot of people have invested in it or are part of it. Anywhere where tennis grows is a good thing, so I hope it takes off and becomes very successful. 
Who are Maria and Li? Who represents them? What happened in May? Will she be joining? IS everyone else staying on? Who else pulled out? Who is Roger Federer? Is he well known? What happens at the end of the week? Where is the team going? When? For what? Has Li won any special events? What? Where? When? Is she from Australia? Where then? Who makes the most money? Where is she from?
female tennis players Max Eisenbud Li was "confirmed" as one of the entrants no no Maria 17-time grand slam champion yes The player list is expected to be revealed Asia this November. the team tournament yes grand slam title at the Australian Open in January. no China sharapova Russia