Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic will warm up for a tilt at a record seventh Australian Open crown by playing in an innovative quickfire event at the Melbourne venue.
Djokovic, who has been sidelined since July with a right elbow injury, is making his long-awaited return to the game at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi from December 28-30.
The Serbian world No 12 and volatile Australian Nick Kyrgios will headline the eight-man Tie Break Tens tournament at Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park on January 10.
Each match will last for one tiebreak, with the first player to 10 points winning.
The entire tournament will be completed on the night, and the winner will pocket US$250,000 (Dh918,125).
Can you beat the machine 🤖? We killed it playing this game meant for enhancing eye-hand coordination. #Zverev pic.twitter.com/VhlQivXhkJ
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) December 7, 2017
______________
Read more
Nick Kyrgios chooses less basketball and more gym time ahead of Australian Open
Mubadala World Tennis Championship: Players, dates, tickets, all you need to know
Graham Caygill: Djokovic's challenge against top two will make for an exciting 2018
Rafael Nadal's return to Abu Dhabi to prepare for 2018 the 'perfect bookend' for 2017
Novak Djokovic says Mubadala championship can set him up for Australian Open tilt
______________
The Australian debut of the novel format comes after three previous events in London, Vienna and Madrid.
Kyrgios, who brought an early end to his season in October because of a long-standing hip injury, said the tournament "really suits my game style".
"I am looking forward to having some fun with it and I reckon the crowds will really get into it," he added.
The Australian Open's tournament director Craig Tiley said he was "absolutely thrilled" the format would feature in Melbourne, adding that it was "fast, its flashy and heaps of fun for everyone".
The Australian Open begins at Melbourne Park on January 15.
