Tie Break Tens: What are the rules and how does this format work?

SOME of the biggest name in men’s tennis are set to take part in Tie-Break Tens format as they make their final preparations for the Australian Open. So what is it and how does it work?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand in the 2018 Kooyong Classic at Kooyong on January 9, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

SOME of the biggest name in men’s tennis are set to take part in the fourth edition of the Tie-Break Tens format in Melbourne this week as they make their final preparations for the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios will headline the eight-man event which will take place at Margaret Court Arena and help raise funds for the Aussie’s NK Foundation to help disadvantaged children.

The winner will also pocket $250,000.

Given the rapid nature of the format, the full tournament will be held in one night across a three-hour time period.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

* The format consists solely of tie-breaks – no games or sets

* The winner is the first to reach 10 points with a margin of two

* Other traditional tennis rules apply

* It is knock-out format culminating in a final

FIRST ROUND:

Novak Djokovic v Lleyton Hewitt

Lucas Pouille v Rafa Nadal

Tomas Berdych v Nick Kyrgios

Stan Wawrinka v Dominic Thiem

Originally published as Tie Break Tens: What are the rules and how does this format work?