By Tennis Now | Friday, December 21, 2018
The Australian Open is adopting a final-set tiebreak—with a twist—leaving Roland Garros as the only Grand Slam tournament without a final-set breaker.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Call 2019 the year of the tiebreak.
The Australian Open will join Wimbledon adopting a final-set tiebreak next year—with a twist.
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The final set will be decided after six-games-all with the longer of the tiebreak formats—first to 10 points.
The ATP currently uses the first-to-10 point super tiebreak in lieu of a final set in Tour-level doubles matches.
Tournament director Craig Tiley announced the decision following what Tennis Australia calls "the most extensive consultation in the tournament’s history."
“We asked the players—both past and present—commentators, agents and TV analysts whether they wanted to play an advantage final set or not, and went from there,” Tiley said. “We went with a 10-point tiebreak at six-games-all in the final set to ensure the fans still get a special finale to these often epic contests, with the longer tiebreak still then allowing for that one final twist or change of momentum in the contest.This longer tiebreak also can lessen some of the serving dominance that can prevail in the shorter tiebreak.
“We believe this is the best possible outcome for both the players and the fans around the world."
The change means all four Grand Slams feature four different final-set rules.
Roland Garros is the only major that does not employ a final-set tiebreak.
Wimbledon announced it will adopt a first-to-seven point final-set tiebreak when the score reaches 12-12.
The US Open features a first-to-seven point final set tiebreak when the score is six-all.
Australian Open Scoring Format
Men's main-draw singles matches: First four sets seven point tiebreak at six games all. The final set 10 point tiebreak at six games all.
Women's main-draw singles matches: Best of three tiebreak sets. The first two sets seven point tiebreak at six games all. The final set 10 point tiebreak at six games all.
Men's & Women's singles qualifying matches: Best of three tiebreak sets. The first two sets seven point tiebreak at six games all. The final set 10 point tiebreak at six games all.
Men's & Women's doubles matches: Best of three tiebreak sets. The first two sets seven point tiebreak at six games all. The final set 10 point tiebreak at six games all.
The 2019 Australian Open is set for January 14-27th.