Building A Case For Fifth-Set Tie-Breaks In Grand Slams

Many factors affect the composition of a tennis match -length of time played, physical prowess, mental strength, general abilities, weather conditions, court surface, and crowd support. As Kevin Anderson’s semifinal clash with John Isner ticked over six hours, it became clear that the victor wouldn’t win on ability alone, it would be who stood tall in the face of adversity. Eventually, it would be the South African that would triumph 26-24 in the fifth set, in the longest semifinal in Grand Slam history. With such a short recovery time, it will be difficult for the 32-year-old to return and make a case for Sunday’s final.

Apart from the US Open, which has a tie-break at 6-6 in the fifth set, other slams require a two-game advantage, which unfortunately leads to long, drawn-out matches, which may be thrilling for the spectators but potentially a nightmare for players and tournament organizers. Isner has the unfortunate distinction of being involved in the longest match in tennis history at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships where he outlasted Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, 70-68, in a three-day, 11-hour match. Many current and former greats have called for fifth-set tie-breaks to bring the drama to a head and allow sufficient recovery time.

Tournament organizers have also copped flak from the general public for giving the men preferential treatment by scheduling the continuing semifinal between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic an hour before the women’s final at 2 pm. Why couldn’t the men play after the women? Why did organizers insist that the men’s final wouldn’t be moved if England made the World Cup final? Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber’s surprise finale would face a two-hour delay, as Kerber upset Williams for her first Wimbledon title. Meanwhile, Novak would oust Nadal in a 10-8 fifth-set extension of their own.

Following the lead of the US Open, the Davis Cup introduced fifth-set tie-breakers in 2016 after Leonardo Mayer defeated Joao Souza 15-13 in the deciding set in the opening round clash between Argentina and Brazil. Fifth-set tie-breakers must be introduced in the other slams if we are to keep fans enthralled, tournament schedules intact, and players less conducive to injury in what is already a very long tennis season.

Related Posts

• Holy Smokes! Toronto Maple Leafs Make Stanley Cup Contender Moves
• Wimbledon 2018 Men’s Singles Recap
• Wimbledon: Return Of The Djedi