Djokovic to play guinea pig in new tennis format

Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic will warm up for a tilt at a record seventh Australian Open crown by playing in an innovative quickfire event at the Melbourne venue. Djokovic, who has been sidelined since July with an injury to his right elbow, is due to make his long-awaited return at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi from December 28-30. The Serbian world No 12 and volatile Australian Nick Kyrgios will later headline the eight-man Tie Break Tens tournament at Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park on January 10. Each match will last for one tiebreak, with the first player to 10 points winning. The entire tournament will be completed on the night, and the winner will pocket US$250,000 (Dh918,125). The Australian debut of the novel format comes after three previous events in London, Vienna and Madrid.