The United Cup innovates!

The mixed team competition will soon be back in action. A light-hearted fixture at the very start of the season, the United Cup stands out for its original format.

Teams compete in a best-of-three format, with a ladies' single, a men's single and a mixed double.

In a further attempt to innovate, the United Cup organizers have just announced an original new rule for doubles matches: time-outs.

Limited to one per match per team, they will allow the team to have a 60-second time-out to consult on the strategy to be adopted.

In its press release, the competition explains how the new rule will work: "The new rule will allow a player or captain to request a 60-second time-out to consult on strategy by pressing a large red buzzer in the team zone at the edge of the court.

It can only be used during the serve, and not between the first and second serves, with a maximum of one per team allowed during a match. They will not be used during singles matches."