Australian Open, Wimbledon Consider Following US Open Example

The Wimbledon Championships and the Australian Open are said to be discussing joining the US Open in introducing a fifth set tie-break at future events.

Ever since the six hour and 36 minute semifinal between John Isner and Kevin Anderson at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships, the issue of allowing the final set to go on until a two game difference has been discussed. Anderson would go on to win the match 26-24 in the fifth and final set, but he was so emotionally, physically and mentally drained after the match that he had nothing to offer in the final against Novak Djokovic. The South African would go on to lose what was probably the biggest match of his career so far in straight sets, without putting up much of a fight.

According to the News International, Australian Open organizers have been canvassing opinion at the ongoing 2018 US Open from current and former players, as well as coaches, about introducing final set tie-breakers in men’s and women’s singles events. They have also been talking about the possibility of reducing the men’s game to a best of three, like the current practice on the ATP Tour.

An All-England Club spokesperson is said to have confirmed to Reuters that the topic of introducing final set tie-breakers would be “reviewed and considered as part of the post-Championships debrief” at Wimbledon.

The US Open is the only one among the four Grand Slams to have the final set tie-breaker rule. Many former and current players are calling for the no tie-breaker rule to be scrapped and believe it will help prolong players’ careers.

The report claimed the four Grand Slams were set to hold a meeting at Flushing Meadows this week and Anderson, a member of the ATP Players Council, was hopeful that final set tie-breakers would be introduced, and it was only a matter of time.

“I think Wimbledon are looking at it,” Anderson said. “There are obviously some pros and cons but I have heard that they are discussing it. It will be interesting to see what they come up with. And Australia, potentially, as well. ... A lot of sports are having to change their formats, there’s a different demographic coming up, so maybe even three-out-of-five-set tennis may have to be looked at, at some point. So I wouldn’t be surprised if at some stage we do get to that (final set) tiebreaker.”

Great Britain Fed Cup captain and mother of former world number one Andy Murray is also a big advocate of shortening the men’s game at Grand Slams. She believes a best of three set is sufficient with a full final set without a tie-break to settle it.

“I prefer best-of-three with a full set for the third set,” Judy Murray said. “Over the years I’ve watched the game getting so much tougher physically and the calendar getting so much more demanding on the players, emotionally and physically.”

“At the end of last year there were so many of the top 10 who were out of action with serious injuries — you need to look after that.”