LOS ANGELES: Imagine Roger Federer playing one of the Williams sisters. Or Rafael Nadal facing Maria Sharapova.

Tennis promoter Steve Bellamy envisions such matchups one day, although he’ll go with less dynamic pairings for now. On August 3, he’ll stage what’s believed to be the first tournament involving world-ranked men and women going head to head.

The one-day competition in suburban Pacific Palisades comes with several big rules changes: No overhand serve, second serves or lets. All serving is drop-hit and struck from below the waist.

“About 40 percent of the points in tennis are won on the serve or the return,” said Bellamy, founder of The Tennis Channel and chief executive of The Ski Channel.

“Men dominate women in tennis mainly because of the serve, so this concept neutralises that advantage.”

Bellamy said American players Vince Spadea, Justin Gimelstob, Derrick Rostagno and Alexandra Stevenson are among those expected to play. Spadea is ranked No 70 and Stevenson No 204; Rostagno and Gimelstob are no longer on the tour.

The Battle of the Sexes approach recalls the 1973 showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. King, at the top of her game, won easily against her long retired opponent.