SYDNEY, Dec 20 (V7N)– The ATP-WTA season-opening United Cup will introduce a world-first rule allowing tactical timeouts in mixed-doubles matches, organisers announced on Friday.

This new rule will allow a player or captain to call a 60-second timeout to strategise by pressing a large red buzzer in the team zone courtside. The timeout can only be used while on serve and not between first and second serves, with a maximum of one timeout per team allowed during a match.

This innovation will not be permitted during singles matches.

Tournament director Stephen Farrow expressed excitement about the new feature, saying, "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."

The 18-team United Cup kicks off the 2025 season from December 27 to January 5 in Perth and Sydney, ahead of the Australian Open Grand Slam in Melbourne. Each team will consist of three men and three women, with ties featuring a mix of men’s and women’s singles, and often a deciding mixed-doubles match.

Some of the world’s top players have signed up, including Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev.