Federer, Hewitt to revolutionize tennis with new best-of-five-set format

In an attempt to revolutionize the sport, 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and former world number one Lleyton Hewitt will face each other the week before the Australian Open in a new format featuring best-of-five-sets match at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Initiated by Tennis Australia, the new format, dubbed as 'One Night with Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt' will exhibit four rule variations - no advantage scoring, no service lets, tiebreakers at three games all and sets of first-to-four games, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Commenting on the latest format, Hewitt said that playing Roger in the new format would be an exciting challenge for both of them. He further said that the innovation was fantastic for the sport and he hopes it would take off, as both of them are scheduled to face off in an exhibition match on 12 January.

On the other hand, Federer said that they have had some amazing battles over the years and still bring out the best in each other every time they play.

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said the former world No 1s were the ideal players to launch the exciting new format, which is expected to last about half as long as a traditional best-of-five-set match. The new format is a game changer and is set to revolutionise the game of tennis, particularly at club and social levels, he added.