The US Open, previously known as the U.S. National Championship, is one of the most historical tennis tournaments in the world. The US Open men’s singles and doubles matches were first played in 1881.
It is the only Grand Slam that has not been impacted by the cancellation of World Wars I and II, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This extraordinary event will take place from August 26 to September 18 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
Every set of a singles match in the US Open from 1971 to 2021 used the traditional tiebreaker; first to seven points, win by two. Since 2022 however, new tiebreak regulations have been implemented and standardized in the final set for all four Grand Slam tournaments. As a result, an extended tiebreaker-first to ten points, win by two-is played if the score is 6-6 in the final set.
Therefore, if the tiebreaker ends with a score of nine all, the winner is the player who scores two straight points.
What if There is a Tie at the US Open?
In decisive sets of US Open tennis matches, a 10-point tiebreak with a two-point advantage is used to prevent ties.
The US Open, along with the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and Wimbledon, will now apply a 10-point tiebreak at six games all in deciding sets, more than 50 years after introducing the tiebreak to professional tennis in 1970.
Traditionally, Grand Slam final sets have continued until one player wins by two clear games. This has, naturally, resulted in some extremely late endings that have wreaked havoc on players' schedules and their degrees of exhaustion. However, new rules were implemented in 2022 and this was first tested at the French Open.
At the Australian Open in 2023, Andy Murray defeated Matteo Berrettini in a first-round victory. After each player won two sets, the third set ended in a stalemate at 6-6, forcing a race to 10, or two clear points after that point, which the Scot took 10-6 in order to win the match.
The Grand Slam Board Announcement
The Grand Slam Board announced the following in March 2022:
“On behalf of the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, the Grand Slam Board are 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.”
“Further to extensive consultation with the WTA, ATP, ITF, and tennis officiating community, the Grand Slam Board’s decision is based on a strong desire to create greater consistency in the rules of the game at the Grand Slams and thus enhance the experience for the players and fans alike.”
“This trial, which has been approved by the Rules of Tennis Committee governed by the ITF, will apply to all Grand Slams across Qualifying, Men’s singles and doubles, Women’s singles and doubles, wheelchair, and Junior events in singles.”
“Under this trial, if the score reaches six games all in the final set, the match winner(s) will be the first player(s) to win 10 points with an advantage of two or more points.”
“The Grand Slam Board plans to review the trial during the course of a full Grand Slam year, in consultation with the WTA, ATP, and ITF, before applying for any permanent rule change.”
FAQs
A. A 10-point tiebreak with a two-point advantage is used in decisive sets to determine the winner.
A. The 10-point tiebreak was introduced in 2022 for the final sets of all Grand Slam tournaments.
A. The 10-point tiebreak rule was created to ensure consistency in rules, prevent exhaustion, and enhance the experience for players and fans.
A. In the final set, if the set score is 6-6, first to win 10 points in a tiebreak by a difference of at least two points will be the winner.
A. Yes, it applies to qualifying, singles and doubles events, wheelchair events, and junior events across all Grand Slam tournaments.
