The 2025 United Cup will provide extra entertainment and intrigue after the announcement confirming timeouts will be implemented.
Mixed doubles are the only matches that can take advantage of the new rule, offering 60-second timeouts which players or captains can call.
Historically during the change of ends, the team captain is permitted to talk to their players about tactics and provide motivation, which will still be the case.
However, they can now call timeouts using a red buzzer in the middle of match play — something tennis fans have never experienced before.
Below are the important key points you need to know:
Timeouts can be called when the captain or player’s team is serving
They cannot be called between first and second serves
Teams must convene at the team zone during timeouts
Teams are each permitted to call one timeout per mixed doubles match
Players have 25 seconds to resume competing, following the timeout
Tournament Director Stephen Farrow welcomes the change as he stresses the importance of "innovation" and new ideas.
"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," he explained.
"We’re excited to see how the best tennis players in the world and their teams utilise this new tool.
"Innovation is at the core of everything we do at the United Cup and this is another example of leading the way and finding new ways to present the sport and engage our fans."
The United Cup begins Friday, December 27.
Bình luận