MADRID, May 1: World No 1 Roger Federer and Spanish rival Rafael Nadal are set to clash in an exhibition match with a difference on Wednesday – facing off on a dual surface court.

Organisers said on Tuesday they have already sold out the 6,800-capacity ‘Palma Arena’ for the one-off best of three sets match between the world's top two players.

At each change of ends they will have to change their shoes and possibly even their rackets as one side of the court is grass and the other clay for the 1.2 million euro exhibition match designed to promote tourism on the island.

Nadal, who hails from Mallorca, is the undisputed king of clay having won his 72nd straight match on the dirt on Sunday in Barcelona. He also defeated Federer in the Monte Carlo Masters final a week earlier as well as in the French Open final last year.

On grass Federer holds the upper hand, having beaten the Spaniard in the last Wimbledon final for a fourth straight win on the surface.—AFP