International Premier Tennis League aims to give fans a smashing return
A group of the top men and women will play in a faster, Asia-focused TV friendly contest
A brave new era begins this weekend when the International Premier Tennis League debuts its fast-paced, television-friendly format, which is already making waves in the sport.
Scepticism has mingled with curiosity in the build-up to the team event, which will dramatically shorten matches and aims to jazz up tennis as a spectacle by adding DJs and dancers.
Attention is guaranteed by an impressive roster of players, including Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, as well as former stars like Andre Agassi.
I think we're focusing on the experience. So you're going to see men, women and legends, you're going to have music, giveaways, cheerleaders
Far from the tennis bastions of London, New York and Paris, ties will be played in Manila, Singapore, New Delhi and Dubai, representing new frontiers for the sport.
But what most defines the Asia-focused IPTL is its adventurous format: team ties consisting of five one-set matches, with no advantages and the first to six games wins.
A 20-second shot clock between points guarantees quick play, and at 5-5, players go into a timed shoot-out in which they must accumulate the most points before time is up.
Players can also call a "power point" once per set, meaning the next point will count double.
While it is unknown just how audiences - and players - will take to the new rules, there is no doubt the brainchild of ex-doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi has already had an impact.