World No.1 Novak Djokovic will play an exhibition match against former top-ranked star Rafael Nadal in Bangkok next month.
The match at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium will be held on Oct 2 as organisers hope it will help boost the country's tourism industry after last month's deadly bombing at the Erawan shrine.
"The match is important to the tourism industry,'' Suwat Liptapanlop, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, said yesterday.
"It will show that Thailand is safe and is back to business as usual,''
The match, which is officially called the 'Back to Thailand -- Nadal vs Djokovic', is being organised by CP Group and True Corporation.
Both have visited the Kingdom before and played at the now-defunct Thailand Open.
Djokovic last came to Thailand in 2008 when he lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final of the ATP Thailand Open.
The Serb also played in the tournament in 2004 when he was eliminated in the first round.
Spaniard Nadal visited the country in 2010 for the same tournament and lost in the semi-finals.
The duo last met in the quarter-finals of this year's French Open when Djokovic won 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.
World No.8 Nadal is 23-21 against Djokovic in their head-to-head record.
They both are playing at the US Open in New York.
"They were impressed by our warm welcome in their previous visits and are very excited to come back to Thailand,'' said Suwat, chairman of the organising committee of the special match.
"It will shows Thailand's potential to organise a world-class sporting event.
"We also want the Thai people to enjoy a world-class tennis match between two of the world's biggest tennis stars."
CP and True boss Suphachai Chearavanont added: "Apart from bringing happiness to the Thai people, the match will also help boost confidence in Thailand in several aspects from tourism to economy and investment."
Tickets are 1,000-5,000 baht and available at Thai Ticket Major.