Fans of tennis may be learning about the rules changes regarding tie-breaks for final sets, in the US Open. US Open is sure to bring plenty of exciting moments when it determines who will win a game.
The tennis organisers have announced a new rule that will be followed by the four Grand Slams in the year – The Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – to reduce the possibility of games playing for hours and hours.
What is the tie-break for the final set of rules for tennis?
The last sets of Grand Slam events have gone through until a player has won with two clear games. it’s not surprising that this has led to extremely late-finishes which have caused havoc on the schedules of players as well as their fatigue levels.
But, the new rules that were that were introduced in the year 2000 and tried in the French Open, now sees the use of a tie break of 10 points to determine the final set which can be extended to six games.
That’s what happened during Harmony Tan’s massive victory in the first round against Serena Williams in the first round of Wimbledon 2022. Both players had winning a set and tied 6-6 at the end of the third set, there was an intense race for 10 (or two points clear following that point) in the end, as Tan defeated Williams 10-7 to take the match.
The Grand Slam Board announced in Marchthat “On behalf of Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, the Grand Slam Board is pleased to announce the decision to use a 10-point tie-break in every Grand Slam that will be played when the score is six games during the last set.
“Further in a long-running consultation process with WTA, ATP, ITF and the tennis officiating community this decision by the Grand Slam Board driven by a desire to ensure greater consistency in the rules for the game during the Grand Slams, and thus improve the experience for players and the fans.
“This trial that has been accepted by the Rules of Tennis Committee governed by the ITF is applicable for all Grand Slams throughout Qualifying, Men’s singles , doubles, women’s singles and doubles, wheelchair and junior singles and doubles tournaments.
“Under this test when the score is six games during the last set that match winner(s) are the very first player(s) to earn 10 points and gain an advantage of 2 or more points.
“The Grand Slam Board plan to revisit the event over the full Grand Slam year, in collaboration with WTA, ATP and ITF before submitting an application for any rule changes that are permanent.”
Is there a longest tennis game during Grand Slam history?
American John Isner’s epic Wimbledon victory against Nicolas Mahut, which he beat 70-68 in the final match in 2010 is still the longest.
The historic match began with the start time of six thirteen p.m. on the 22nd of June 2010 but was stopped in the 9th minute at 9:00 p.m. due to the diminishing light , with the fifth set set to start. The match was equal at 6-4, 3-6 and 6-7 (7) 7-6 (3).
The match began again around 2.05 p.m. the next day, and records for playing the longest game ended at 5.45pm on the night of the match. Isner along with Mahut were just beginning their match.
The light that was fading defeated them in the morning at 9:00 p.m. And they returned at 3:40 p.m. on the 24th of June to struggle towards an end.
Isner ended up winning the match 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7) 7-6 (3) 70-68 at 4:47pm on the 3rd Day of play. He stopped time at eleven hours and 5 minutes.
