Troy Grant MP Deputy Premier of NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 25 November 2014

FEDERER AND HEWITT IN WORLD FIRST FOR SYDNEY

In a world first for Sydney, Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt will launch a new fast format for tennis at a special exhibition match this summer.

The match between the great friends and rivals will take place at Qantas Credit Union Arena (formerly known as the Sydney Entertainment Centre) on Monday, 12 January 2015.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Troy Grant said Federer and Hewitt would be the first to play “Fast4”: a best-of-five sets exhibition match with no advantage scoring, no lets, a tiebreaker to be played at three-games-all, with the first player to four games winning the set.

“The event, secured through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, will attract significant international attention, and the new fast format will interest tennis fans around the world,” Mr Grant said.

“I cannot think of two better players to launch this new event – Roger Federer, World Number 2 and arguably the greatest player of all time, and former World Number 1 Lleyton Hewitt, one of Australia’s tennis greats.

“The pair has played some big matches over the years and will undoubtedly put on a terrific display of world-class tennis and I encourage everyone to buy tickets to the world premiere of this exciting new format.

“Billed as One Night With Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt, it is just one of the highlights of a week-long festival of tennis for Sydney in January. The Apia International will take place at Sydney Olympic Park from 11-17 January, and a legends tournament will also be played, led by Pat Rafter and John McEnroe.”

Tennis Australia Chief Executive Officer Craig Tiley said the new fast format was an exciting development for tennis and he was delighted the event would be held in Sydney.

“There is no doubt Roger Federer is one the greatest tennis players we have ever seen. It is a major coup for us to work with him on the global launch of the new fast format in this world first opportunity for Sydney,” he said.

Tickets for the event go on sale to the general public from 3pm tomorrow, 26 November 2014, and can be purchased online via Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au/rf or by calling 132849.