A new era for tennis! United Cup 2025 set to introduce tactical timeouts

In a groundbreaking move, the ATP-WTA edition-opening United Cup is all set to allow tactical timeouts during the mixed doubles matches, marking the first sport ever announced by the organisers on December 19. Adding an extreme new layer of tactical skills, players and the captains will have an opportunity to call a 60-second timeout in the game. This might be activated by pressing a red buzzer, which will be present in the team zone on the court, allowing a moment for the sides to regroup in the game.

However, each game of the marquee event will allow one timeout per team, and this can only be utilised while serving, not between first and second serves. However, this rule is for the doubles one and will not be applicable to the singles tournament.

Meanwhile, the United Cup 2025 is set to kick off from December 28 to January 5 across the venues in Perth and Sydney, paving the way for the Australian Open Grand Slam in Melbourne. Each of the 18 competing teams will consist of three men and three women, with matchups of one men's and one women's singles alongside mixed-doubles fixtures in the game.

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Here’s what you need to know for the timeout rules ahead of 2025 United Cup

• 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

“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,” explained United Cup Tournament Director Stephen Farrow.

“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.”'

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