The tournament director of the Australian Open has confirmed that they will hold a series of discussions with players, including the possible use of a tie-break in the fifth set.
On Tuesday Tennis Australia launched the next stage of their ‘AO innovation beyond 2020 program.’ An initiative that seeks to improve the event based on feedback from players. In recent days there has been calls for the fifth set of men’s matches in grand slams to have a tie-break. During the Wimbledon championships, both men’s semi-final matches last more than five hours. Forcing Novak Djokovic’s clash with Rafael Nadal to span over two days. Which also resulted in the delay of the women’s final.
“Obviously in recent days there has been a lot of public comment on a fifth-set tie-breaker for the men.” Tournament director Craig Tiley said in a statement.
“We encourage the discussion and we want to know what the players think. We also want to know what they think about a third-set tie-breaker for the women, how they feel about the current presentation of doubles and many other aspects of the existing playing conditions.”
A report by The Times has confirmed that The All England Club will discuss possible changes to matches to allow tie-breaks in the final set when the score reaches 6-6. Although no significant development may happen until November when there is a grand-slam rulebook meeting.
The Australian Open, who describes their tournament as the ‘player-friendly slam’, is likely to draw praise for their approach. Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic has previously hit out at tournaments for not consulting with players concerning their plans. Including the future use of shot clocks on the tour. The Serbian is a member of the ATP Player Council.
“I obviously was not happy at all, as all the other players in the players’ council, for one very simple reason. Not because of the shot-clock, we could discuss that. It’s because we as players are never reached out, never advised.” Djokovic said earlier this month.
“We are not participating in the conversation or decision making. That’s something that is really frustrating, from a player perspective.”
The US Open is the only grand slam tournament that uses a tiebreaker in the decider.
