Tennis superstars Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner are set to swap their racquets for pickleball paddles in a special exhibition match in Melbourne in conjunction with the Australian Open.

According to TravMedia, the match is scheduled for Thursday, January 15 at 1 Hotel Melbourne in the riverside parklands surrounding the venue. 

The event will be closed to the public, with attendance restricted to a small group of invited media.

TravMedia described the contest as one of the "most unexpected and exclusive" lead-up events to the Grand Slam, offering a relaxed atmosphere and close access to a couple of professional tennis' biggest names.

The event reflects pickleball’s growing popularity and crossover appeal among elite tennis athletes.

Details of the match format have yet to be confirmed.

A four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka is a co-owner of Miami Pickleball Club in Major League Pickleball.

Sinner is currently ranked world No. 2 in the men’s ATP standings, trailing only Carlos Alcaraz.