DUBAI: Some of the world鈥檚 top stars, including Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, are heading to Dubai for the inaugural World Tennis League set to take place at the Coca Cola Arena from Dec. 19 to 24.

The new competition will feature many of the best men and women players in the world, as well as offer a novel format featuring two-set battles across both singles and mixed doubles matches, with a 10-point tie-breaker set to decide the final outcome if needed.

After play each evening, ticket holders for what is being billed as 鈥淭he Greatest Show on Court鈥� can attend concerts featuring artists including Dutch DJ superstars Ti毛sto and Armin Van Buuren.

Rajesh Banga, chairman of the competition, said: 鈥淭he World Tennis League will be an event like no other. It brings a unique and engaging new format to the game of tennis, offering a spectacular mix of sport and entertainment together. We can鈥檛 wait to welcome fans from around the globe for this momentous event that hails a new era for tennis.鈥�

Djokovic heads the men鈥檚 field with world No. 1 Swiatek leading the women鈥檚 entry list.

The Serbian former world No. 1 has 21 Grand Slam titles including nine Australian Opens, two French Opens, seven Wimbledons and three US Opens to his name, in addition to five ATP Tour Finals titles. Swiatek, a WTA fan favorite, comes to Dubai following her Grand Slam victories at the French Open and US Open in 2022.

鈥淭his new event is exciting, there鈥檚 no doubt about it,鈥� said Djokovic. I absolutely love playing in Dubai, I鈥檝e had a lot of success there over the years and really enjoy the fans. This is something different, and it鈥檚 going to be great being a part of it.鈥�

Swiatek added: 鈥淚 like it most when tennis connects people and when it鈥檚 true entertainment. When it鈥檚 combined with a great show and music, it鈥檚 even better, so that鈥檚 the reason why I鈥檓 excited to join this year鈥檚 World Tennis League. I鈥檓 happy that together with other top players we鈥檒l introduce tennis as fun to new audiences. I can鈥檛 wait.鈥�

Joining the men鈥檚 field are Alexander Zverev, a rising star who reached a ranking of two in the world this year, and the resurgent Nick Kyrgios, one of the most colorful characters on the ATP Tour. For the women鈥檚 field, former world No. 1 Simona Halep and current Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will also join the lineup.

A player lottery will be held on Nov. 1, where the 16-player lineup will be split into four teams of four players each, and a round robin format for matches across the tournament. The top two teams will then face off in a final day of matches to determine the overall winner of the World Tennis League in Dubai.

The organizers have confirmed that additional award-winning international artists will be announced for the post-match concerts over the coming weeks.