Gavrilova draws hilarious blank over Aus Open shot clock

Daria Gavrilova once used a WTA meeting to argue for the introduction of a shot clock between points.

But when she was quizzed on the rule change on Thursday, the Aussie No.2 could only draw a hilarious blank.

It was revealed in the last 48 hours that the 2018 Australian Open would introduce an electronic 25-second countdown clock to replace the 20-second 'limit' previously left to the discretion of the umpire.

"Oh, I didn't know it was introduced," Gavrilova responded, looking like a deer in headlights.

"To be honest I did not read the rules, but I did mention it somewhere in a WTA meeting that it should be included."

The shot clock has been confirmed to a mixed reaction.

Some in the tennis world worried that players would milk it for all 25 seconds, perhaps extending matches.

Others, however, believe it is only an indicator and players will continue to put the pressure on with quicker points.

While the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are known to take their time, Roger Federer has wowed fans with 50-second service games at times this year.

Once she collected her thoughts, Gavrilova was on the positive side.

"It's going to be a lot more fun for spectators," said the world No.25.

"Because I think it's a bit boring when we're just walking around for 30 seconds and playing a three-second rally after that, so I think it's good."

And the 23-year-old won't have any problems adjusting to the demands of the visible clock.

"Most of the time I'm rushing so that's easy," Gavrilova concluded.

Having won her first tournament at the WTA level in 2017 before finishing the year around the same ranking as she began, Gavrilova could only concede that it was "probably" her best season.

Even if she fell behind likely Newcombe Medal winner Ashleigh Barty in the rankings.

"She's had a great year, really proud of her," Gavrilova told reporters.

"I knew she was playing good from the beginning of the year when we were playing Fed Cup.

"Just playing some practice sets ... I was like 'she's playing really good; she's going to do some damage' but, obviously, I did not expect her to end up being the No.1 Aussie.

"Sam (Stosur), myself and Ash, we're all really competitive and it's good to just push each other."

with AAP