Competition format Kooyong Classic

former world no. 1 lleyton hewitt 1 out of 7 australian winners have titled more once in kooyong (2011, 2013).

the kooyong classic draw includes 8 invited association of tennis professionals (atp) players, seeded according atp rankings of week preceding tournament. 4 first round matches played, after 4 winners advance semifinals, while 4 losers relegated play-off draw. 2 semifinals of main draw , of play-off draw played, setting 4 new matches : main draw final, decide of champion , of runner-up, main draw consolation match, decide of third , fourth places, play-off draw final, decide of fifth , sixth places, , play-off draw consolation match, decide of seventh , eighth places.

the tournament takes place on 4 days, 4 first round matches taking place on first day, 2 first round matches of play-off draw, , 1 semifinal of main draw taking place on second day, final , consolation match of play-off draw, , second semifinal of main draw taking place on third day, , final , consolation match of main draw taking place on fourth , last day.

unlike in official tournaments, players retiring during or withdrawing before match not automatically eliminated tournament, , can still participate play-offs or consolation match –as in 2008 event, when nikolay davydenko withdrew due fatigue before play-off draw first round match against brydan klein, went on play , win play-off draw consolation match against ivan ljubičić. players decide withdraw competition due injury replaced alternate play-offs or consolation match –as in 2006 edition, when david nalbandian s withdrawal allowed alternate max mirnyi enter draw. matches played in best-of-three sets tie-break format.

the kooyong classic taking place week before first grand slam of regular season, australian open, exhibition matches organised event, outside of competition, allow top players lacking practice play matches before open.