German rising star Alexander Zverev has launched a verbal attack on the Australian Open over their decision to implement a super-tiebreak in the final set of matches.
Earlier this month it would announce that the Melbourne major would use a tiebreaker in the deciding set of matches for the first time in history. Following the footsteps of both the US Open, which has used a similar method since 1980, and Wimbledon. From 2019, once the score reaches 6-6 in the decider, a super tie-break would then be played with the first player to reach ten points winning.
The new scoring format has drawn criticism from the world No.4, who has claimed that players have not been consulted about the changes to the scoring system.
“We weren’t (consulted) at all. I don’t think any players were (asked), to be honest,” he told The Australian newspaper on Thursday.
“I don’t like the change too much because I think it has something special when you go 12-10 in the fifth set, or something like that.
“I really enjoyed those kind of situations, really enjoy those kind of matches, even though they are physically tough.
“These are the things we play for, and now, at every Grand Slam except for Roland Garros, there is a tiebreak, which I am not in favour of.”
Zverev’s comments contradict that of tournament director Craig Tiley. Tiley has previously said the new rules has come into force following ‘the most extensive consultation in the tournament’s history.’ Saying in a press release that both past and present players were consulted about the changes.
“We asked the players – both past and present, commentators, agents and TV analysts whether they wanted to play an advantage final set or not, and went from there.” Said Tiley.
The introduction of the super tie-break follows two marathon men’s matches that took place at Wimbledon during the summer. Kevin Anderson required six hours and 36 minutes to defeat John Isner. Then Novak Djokovic spent more than five hours to overcome Rafael Nadal. The length of those matches meant that Djokovic’s clash had to be finished the following day, which caused a delay to the start of the women’s final.
“At the end of the day they’re realising that just having a full long fifth set is not the ideal situation and it just seems like they maybe just trying to be a little bit different. Whether it’s 10 or seven I don’t think makes any difference at all,” Anderson said during a recent interview with Sport 360.
In 2019 all four grand slams will have different scoring systems in the final set. The Australian Open will have a super-tiebreak at 6-6, Wimbledon will have a standard tie-break at 12-12 and the US Open will have a standard tie-break at 6-6. The French Open is the only major to continuing having the traditional scoring system.
