What is the tiebreaker rule in deciding sets at the US Open 2024? All you need to know

In 2022, the US Open announced they would shift from the traditional final-set decider to a 10-point tiebreaker. Previously, the final set was played until a player won by two clear games, resulting in some late finishes. However, the US Open has now joined other Grand Slam tournaments to implement a 10-point tiebreaker in the deciding set.

The rule was first initiated in 2022 when the match would go into a 10-point tiebreaker in the final set if both the players were level at 6-6 in the decider. The final-set tiebreaker was first tested at the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships before other Grand Slam boards accepted it.

The Grand Slam boards released a joint statement in 2022 confirming their intentions to move to a 10-point tiebreaker in the final set instead of the traditional way. The Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open all agreed to the new rules after the trial was approved by the Rules of Tennis Committee governed by the ITF.

"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. 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 statement said.

The new rule will ensure an early finish to the matches tied in the final set. Over the years, there have been some very late finishes resulting in scheduling problems and delays for the other matches.

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The longest match in tennis history before the 10-point tiebreaker rule

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut hold the record for playing the longest tennis match in history. The two met at the Wimbledon Championships in 2010 and played a match that lasted over 11 hours.

Fading light and rain delays added to the excitement as both players took to the court for three days in a row. The match started on 22nd June before the fading light postponed the match until the next day. Both the players kept holding their serve in the final set and the match was again postponed until the next day.

Finally, John Isner emerged victorious as he went on to win the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 70-68 in 11 hours and 5 minutes. Isner won 70 games in the final set before finally winning the match against an inspired Mahut. This match is the longest-ever tennis match in history and the record is set to stay intact due to the new deciding sets rule. A 10-point tiebreaker will help avoid such instances in the future.