Players will be allowed extra time between points at this year’s French Open as part of a series of new rules set to be introduced in the tournament.
The French Tennis Federation has confirmed that they will increase the time between points from 20 seconds to 25. Making Roland Garros come in line with the other grand slam events. For the first time in the tournament’s history, a timer will be introduced for fans to monitor how long players take.
Whilst allowing players extra time, officials are intending to speed up the start of matches. Starting this year, once the second player has come onto the court and gone to their bench, both players have up to a minute to go to the net for the coin toss. Then they will have a five-minute warm-up before being expected to start play within 60 seconds after that warm-up.
Service lets will also be eliminated in the qualifying and junior competitions. Last year the ITF board of directors voted to remove the service let from junior competition starting this year. The rule was enforced during the inaugural Next Gen finals in Milan last November.
Roland Garros follows the trend of major tournaments implementing new changes. Last year the US Open introduced a shot clock on the court for the first time and allowed coaching from the stands during their qualifying tournament. Meanwhile at the Australian Open, they also introduced a 25-second shot clock.
“Roland Garros is one of the jewels in the French capital’s crown,” tournament director Guy Forget said on Thursday. “We are so lucky to be able to host one of, if not the world’s greatest tennis tournaments here in Paris, and it will only become greater in years to come. As part of the New Roland-Garros project, the tournament is currently undergoing a transformation so that it fulfils the requirements of the stadium’s various spectators. At the forthcoming tournament, visitors will see some new constructions for the first time, which promise to be magnificent.”
Overseeing the changes will be Rémy Azémar, who takes over as tournament referee.
Hike in prize money
Participants at this year’s French Open will also benefit from an increase in prize money. A record €39,197,000 will be awarded this year with the lower rounds seeing the biggest rises. First round losers will take home €40,000, which is a 14.29% increase on 2017. Every round until the quarter-final stage has had their prize money increase by at least 10% compared to 2017.
The most substantial rise applies to the qualifying tournament. The first two rounds will see players claim at least 20% more than the previous year and a 16.67% increase in the third.
Both the men’s and women’s winners will each win €2.2 million (4.76% rise) and the runner-up will settle for €1.12 million (5.66% rise).
This year’s French Open will get underway on May 21st. Rafael Nadal and Jelena Ostapenko are the defending champions.
French Open announces 2018 prize money: double digit percentage increases for singles quarterfinals and below. €39,197,000 total (about $48.2 million) pic.twitter.com/VhVMxbIsVt
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) 22 March 2018
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