Lleyton Hewitt is set to take on Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in a world premiere of a faster new format of tennis that is being touted as a "game changer" for the sport.
Old and new: Veteran Lleyton Hewitt speaks to the media on Tuesday about his clash with Roger Federer and the new tennis format. Photo: AFP
Dubbed the "T20 of tennis", the new format will see the superstars face off in a best-of-five sets exhibition match at Sydney's Qantas Credit Union Arena in January, with four rule variations ensuring a speedier spectacle.
Sets will be won on a first-to-four games rule, with a tiebreaker at three games all, and there will be no lets and no advantage scoring.
Class act: Roger Federer on his way to sealing the Davis Cup for Switzerland. Photo: AFP
Describing his opponent as "possibly the greatest player ever to pick up a tennis racquet" Hewitt said the event would be a boon for Sydney's tennis community.
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"It gives everyone an opportunity to come and see Roger up close. You don't know how many opportunities you're going to get in Sydney to do that. He's not going to play forever."
Both aged 33 and now veterans on the professional circuit, Hewitt and Federer have clashed 27 times since 1999. While the Swiss champion has the upper hand, having won 18 of their encounters, Hewitt claimed the most recent victory at the Brisbane International final in January.
"I think both of us will be in decent form at the time, which hopefully will provide some good entertainment," Hewitt said.
Hewitt, who finished the year as the country's top-ranked men's player, also hosed down speculation that the upcoming summer season was a farewell tour but acknowledged he was in the "twilight" of his career.
"I'm still doing all the hard work, I still really enjoy that side of it," Hewitt said.
"I'm focusing on this not being my last Australian Open and I think that's the best head space to be in."
While the exhibition match will fall amid a busy summer schedule for Hewitt, which includes the Brisbane International and the Australian Open, the former world number one said he welcomed the opportunity to "promote the game as much as possible".
"This is the perfect way for me to get match practice, but I wanted to really build up tennis across Australia as well.
"I won't be playing as many tournament next year, that's for sure," he said.