Two of the world's top tennis players, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, have arrived in Bangkok to share over a million pounds for an exhibition match dubbed "Back to Thailand."
The event was organised by local authorities to boost confidence in the country's safety after the deadly Bangkok bomb blast that left 20 people dead and more than 120 injured.
It's reported the players will share just over £1.5m for the match organised by the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, sponsored by several local companies. Not bad for playing a best-of-three-set match scheduled to last two hours on Friday.
Djokovic's prize money for winning the US Open after two weeks of intense tennis and a grueling four-set final against Roger Federer was $3.3 million.
The players warmed up for the evening match, which both said was meant to give a good show to the crowd in the 5,700-seat Hua Mark indoor stadium.
Djokovic, who is due to play tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai, last came to Thailand in 2008 when he lost the final of the Thailand Open to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and is looking forward to playing at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2.
"We all want to finish the season in the best possible way," said the world No 1 from Serbia. "We have the round-robin format that is unique. It's a bit different, but it's very intense because you always play against the top player."
Nadal visited the capital in 2010 for the same tournament and lost in the semi-finals.
Djokovic and Nadal have faced each other 43 times in tour-level matches, with Nadal winning 23 but Djokovic winning their last two matches at the French Open and Monte Carlo.
"Even if I win it won't be revenge," said Nadal. "It's an exhibition match. We will try to play a good match, have some fun and create good fun for the people."
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