Grigor Dimitrov and Simona Halep have become the latest players to confirm their participation in the upcoming Tie Break Tens exhibition in Madrid.
Entering its third year, the annual event features players competing in a round-robin format with the winner taking home a paycheck of $250,000. Unlike tradition tennis, matches are played in tiebreaks with the winner being the first player to reach ten points (with a minimum two-point lead). Previous winners of the event are Kyle Edmund, who stunned Andy Murray in the Inaugural tournament, and Dominic Thiem.
“I love playing tie-breaks. You are under pressure from the very first point and it brings out the best in people. The crowd are guaranteed excitement so it should be a great atmosphere.” Said Australian Open semifinalist Dimitrov.
Dimitrov, who has already won titles in Sofia and Brisbane this year, will be joined in the eight-player draw by world No.5 Kei Nishikori and Feliciano Lopez.
This year’s exhibition will be held on May 4th at the Caja Magica, less than a week before the start of the prestigious Madrid Open. For the first time in its history, there will be a women’s tournament. Halep, who is the current Madrid Open champion, is set to join home favourite Garbine Muguruza and Maria Sharapova in inaugural draw.
“Tie-breaks are always tense, and with so many top players playing them in Tie Break Tens, it is going to be a great night in Madrid.” Said Halep.
A total of 16 players will be fighting it out in the Spanish capital. There are still ten unnamed players that will participate in the tournament, who will be revealed by the organisers at a later date.
The prize pool of the event is set at $500,000 with an estimated $100,000 of the total being awarded to charity.
