The eyes of the Tennis world will be on the U.S. Open Tennis 2022 for the next couple of weeks. The final Grand Slam event of Tennis is taking place in the United States from 29 August to 11 Sept. The world’s best tennis players are competing to win the most coveted title of the game. But did you know the final set tie-break rule in Tennis?
The world’s best players are going head-to-head to win the U.S. Open Grand Slam and giving their best on the court. Hence, we are sure so many games will go down to the wire. Consequently, we are here to explain the tie-break rule in Tennis so that you know exactly what’s happening next time it happens.
Final Set Tie-Break Rule:
The Grand Slam ruling body has changed the final set tie-break rule since the beginning of this year. All four Grand Slams – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon Championship, and U.S. Open – are maintaining the new rule.
Before that, the final sets had gone on until one player won by two clear games. For this reason, the games went on for hours. It took a heavy toll on the players’ strength and fitness and disrupted the match schedules.
Everyone remembers the John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut match from 2010 Wimbledon. It went on to 70-68 until John Isner got two games clear.
However, new rules were introduced this year and applied at the French Open Grand Slam (Roland-Garros). The new rule sees a 10-point tie break if the players reach 6-6 games on the final sets. It is only applicable for the Grand Slam events.
“On behalf of the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, the Grand Slam Board is 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,” announced the Grand Slam Board.
Longest Tennis Match in Grand Slams:
The world witnessed the longest tennis match in the history of the Grand Slams when John Isner took on Nicolas Mahut in 2010 Wimbledon.
It went on to the length of 70-68 to a tie-break on a final set. The total run-time of the match was a jaw-dropping 11 Hours and 5 Minutes.
The game between Isner vs Mahout began on 22 June 2010, at 6:13 pm. When it was all level at 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), and 7-6(3) after four sets, the match was suspended at 9:07 pm due to fading light.
It resumed at 2:05 pm the following day, broke the record, and continued till the suspension again at 9:09 pm.
The match continued from 3:40 pm to 4:47 pm on the third day to conclude by 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), and 7-6(70-68) in favor of Isner.
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