Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his men's singles match against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic
Nadal, who recently underwent laparoscopic appendectomy, is at the ninth place with $44.5 million. In the 2014 season, Nadal has won four titles and took home more than $6 million prize money. In June, he won his ninth French Open title. Nadal has current deals with Nike, Babolat, Mapfre, Kia Motors, Poker Stars, Mueller, and more. Reuters

The 28-year-old Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal has been signed as the newest global ambassador of American fashion clothing line Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. The deal reportedly involves Nadal stripping down to his underwear and wearing suits for the brand's autumn advertising campaign in 2015.

According to a report by Women's Wear Daily, Nadal has inked a two-year deal worth $3 to $4 million with Hilfiger. He is slated to embark on a photo shoot session in Spain in early 2015. The report said that New York-based creative agency Laird & Partners will be tasked to create the ads that will also be released in all parts of the world. It is said that Nadal will be in attendance when his campaign is launched in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Hilfiger reportedly met Nadal at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters in Monaco about 8 years ago. Hilfiger said that the current World Number Three has been a long time friend of his and a great supporter of his brand. "I'm continuously inspired by his dedication and passion for sport," Hilfiger said.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion will work closely with Hilfiger to share his thoughts on the designs, fit, and fabric of the clothes he would be wearing. It is expected that Nadal will be wearing Hilfiger clothing in his free time.

Women's Wear Daily further reports that it is the first time that Hilfiger has signed a global sports athlete as its ambassador. Based on the market research that Hilfiger Corporation conducted, Nadal had a 91 percent awareness level in Asia, 95 percent in Europe, and 75 percent in the U.S. Chief Marketing and Brand Officer Avery Baker revealed that they approached Nadal personally. Baker said that Nadal "personifies that spirit of the brand."

It wouldn't be the first time that Nadal would strip to his underwear. Previously, he has starred in an underwear campaign with Megan Fox for Emporio Armani in 2011.

Meanwhile, Nadal has gone back to training after missing the remainder of the last season. The Spaniard, who underwent appendectomy in November began preparing for the next season in December. Nadal will kick off his 2015 season at the 2015 Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Adu Dhabi, where he is a two-time champion, from Jan. 1 to 3. Despite struggling with back injury, wrist injury, and appendicitis, Nadal finished the 2014 season as World number three.

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