ATP and WTA organisers have announced the introduction of tactical timeout to be allowed in mixed-doubles matches, Afrosport reports.
United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow on Friday said that the rule, the first of its kind in tennis, will be used at the season-opening United Cup in Australia.
According to the organisers, the new rule will allow a captain or player to call a 60-second timeout to discuss with his or her teammate or coach on strategies to deploy by pressing a large red buzzer in the team zone courtside.
The organisers noted that the timeout can only be used during serve, and not between first and second serves, with a maximum of one timeout permitted per team during a match.
However, the tactical timeout will not be used during singles clashes.
In a chat with newsmen, United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow said: “Timeouts initiate a pause in play, it’s a time for teams to discuss tactics and strategy and potentially change the momentum of a match.
“We’re excited to see how the best tennis players in the world and their teams utilise this new tool.”
The 18-team United Cup heralds the 2025 season but starts from December 27 to January 5 in Perth and Sydney ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open.
Each team features three men and three women, with matches comprising one men’s and one women’s singles and an often decisive mixed-doubles clash.
Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev headline the list of the world’s top players who have signed up for the tournament.
