The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed that a series of changes will take place at next year’s Olympic Games for the first time in its history.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the governing body has confirmed that the men’s final will be best-of-three sets. Bringing the format in line with the other rounds in the tournament. During every Olympic Games since 1988, the best-of-five format has been used for the gold medal match. In 2016 Andy Murray prevailed over Juan Martin del Potro 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5 to become the first player in history to defend an Olympic title.
Another change has also been implemented to all doubles matches. There will no longer be a deciding set to play. Instead, it will be replaced by a 10-point tiebreaker. This method has already been applied to the mixed doubles in the past.
“These amendments reduce concerns of overplay for players who reach the latter stages of all three events – singles, doubles and mixed doubles.” The ITF said in a statement.
Next year’s Olympic tennis event will take place at the Ariake Tennis Park on hard courts. There has been fears about the potential heat players will face following a record-breaking heatwave Japan experience during the summer last year. One study published last month concluded that the women’s Olympic champion will be the most at risk of sunburn next year.
The 2020 tournament will take place between 25 July – 2 August.
Fans not happy
In the light of the announcement, the ITF has come under criticism on social media. Many voicing their anger at the decision to shorten matches at the event, which takes place every four years. Tennis was reintroduced into the Olympics back in 1988 after a 64-year absence. The sport has been included in every edition since then.
Way to fuck up. RIP tennis
— 007Nole🌕🐊 I misconduct myself verbally (@DjokerSA) 3 April 2019
Why not just toss a coin to see who wins 😳🙄
— Eggy (@TheBoiledEgg) 3 April 2019
What are you doing towards the sport we love? First the @DavisCup reformation and now this. With those Bo3 rules you take away from the events as they feel like every other tournament now apart from the GS.
— Doris (@DorisLaRubia) 3 April 2019
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. Terrible!
Was coming to Tokyo just for tennis. Honestly, this really ruins it. Best to 10 tie break is basically luck of the draw. And for the one big men’s match to reduce it from best of 5 reduced the eliteness of the medal. I hope
— DG (@Bestof5forever) 3 April 2019
With the Olympics format changes, I can’t help but think if tennis wants to speed up matches, do it by fixing existing issues and not changing the format. I would:
– Have first matches of the day start at same time
– No MTO’s mid-set unless issue can be resolved in changeover— Paul Timmons (@PaulT_Tennis) 3 April 2019
The @ITF_Tennis with the new Olympic changes… pic.twitter.com/wg4tueWpw9
— Foot Fault Tennis (@footfaulttennis) 3 April 2019
