Iga Swiatek has previously joined forces with Hubert Hurkacz for the mixed doubles at the United Cup (Image: Getty)
The United Cup has announced a drastic new rule change that will allow for a timeout in the middle of a match.
Each nation will be allowed to pause play once to discuss tactics on the sidelines in every mixed doubles rubber.
The likes of and are often on double duty, playing both singles and mixed for their respective countries, and they will have to get used to the mid-match interruptions.
The United Cup will be back for its third edition to kick off the 2025 season, with ATP and WTA stars joining forces to represent their country.
The ties are spread out across Perth and Sydney, with two singles matches taking place before a mixed doubles contest. Organisers have now shared a new “innovation” for the doubles, allowing players and captains to stop the competition for 60 seconds.
It will give each team “the opportunity to confer on strategy in addition to the changing of ends.” The player or captain must press a big red button in the team zone to call the timeout.
These can only be called when the player or captain’s team is serving, and the break cannot happen between first and second serves.
The United Cup sees ATP and WTA stars join forces to represent their country (Image: Getty)
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There will be a maximum of two timeouts per mixed doubles match – one per team. When the timeout is over, a 25-second shot clock will start counting down for the next point.
Announcing the new rule, tournament director Stephen Farrow said: “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.
“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.”
Each team has dedicated doubles players on their roster, but singles players can also be called up for the mixed. Last year, world No. 2 Swiatek joined forces with Hubert Hurkacz to represent Poland.
ATP stars , , and have also stepped up, while Britain’s played the mixed in 2024.
Fritz will likely join forces with for the 2025 edition, who is a former world No. 1 in doubles.