Wimbledon breaks with tradition to introduce final-set tiebreaks

Wimbledon has broken with a tradition to introduce final-set tiebreaks from next year.

The issue was debated heavily after Kevin Anderson and John Isner played out a 26-24 final set in the semi-finals of the 2018 tournament.

However, the All England Club chose to introduce tiebreaks from 12-12 rather than 6-6, as seen in the US Open.

The decision was announced on Friday after a review of match results and discussions with players and officials.

The final set of the Anderson-Isner match lasted two hours and 50 minutes and came eight years after Isner and Nicolas Mahut played the longest match in tennis history at Wimbledon.

In that instance, the American won the fifth set 70-68 in a match that took 11 hours and five minutes and was played across three days.

The All England Club’s decision leaves the Australian Open and Roland Garros as the only grand slams without final-set tiebreaks.

“In reaching this decision, the AELTC Committee sought the feedback of both players and officials, analysed two decades of match data, and considered other factors including scheduling complexities and spectator experience,” chairman Philip Brook said.

“Our view was that the time had come to introduce a tie-break method for matches that had not reached their natural conclusion at a reasonable point during the deciding set.

“While we know the instances of matches extending deep into the final set are rare, we feel that a tie-break at 12-12 strikes an equitable balance between allowing players ample opportunity to complete the match to advantage, while also providing certainty that the match will reach a conclusion in an acceptable timeframe.

“As a next step, we look forward to sharing further details with our Grand Slam, ITF, WTA and ATP colleagues when we meet in Singapore.”

Final-set tiebreaks will take place in the qualifying, men’s, women’s, mixed and junior singles and doubles competitions.