Picture Credit: Twitter
The Tennis Grand Slam Board has announced a major rule change that will be implicated in the four Grand Slams of the calendar year. From now onwards, the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open will have a 10-point tie-break when the set score reaches six games all in the final set.
The major rule change is set to take effect from the ongoing French Open and was agreed upon by the representatives of all four Grand Slams. The Grand Slam events are working towards creating greater consistency in the rules of the game. This same rule change was put into action after extensive consultation and discussion with the WTA, ATP, ITF and the tennis officiating community.
Grand Slam Board released a statement to announce the change in rules which included the names of the representatives of each grand slam in Jayne Hrdlicka, Australian Open; Gilles Moretton, Roland-Garros; Ian Hewitt, Wimbledon and Mike McNulty, US Open.
The statement said, “On behalf of the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, the Grand Slam Board are pleased to announce the joint decision to play a 10-point tie-break at all Grand Slams, to be played when the score reaches six games all in the final set.
Further to extensive consultation with the WTA, ATP, ITF and tennis officiating community, the Grand Slam Board’s decision is based on a strong desire to create greater consistency in the rules of the game at the Grand Slams, and thus enhance the experience for the players and fans alike.
This trial, which has been approved by the Rules of Tennis Committee governed by the ITF, will apply to all Grand Slams across Qualifying, Men’s singles and doubles, Women’s singles and doubles, Wheelchair and Junior events in singles, and will commence at the 2022 edition of Roland-Garros.
At the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and the US Open, the 10-point tie-break will be played in lieu of the final set for Mixed Doubles, Junior doubles and Wheelchair doubles. At Wimbledon, the format will remain the same as for the other events.
Under this trial, if the score reaches six games all in the final set, the match-winner(s) will be the first player(s) to win 10 points with an advantage of two or more points. The Grand Slam Board plan to review the trial during the course of a full Grand Slam year, in consultation with the WTA, ATP and ITF, before applying for any permanent rule change.”