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The tie break in tennis is a crucial and often dramatic part of the match, which can decide not only the set, but also the entire match. But how exactly does a tie break work, and what makes it so special in the world of tennis?
When tennis players reach a score of 6-6 in games within a set, a phase called “tie break” is entered. This crucial moment is played as a special “mini-set”, where the goal is to win a minimum of seven points, with an advantage of two points over the opponent. The tie break is designed to settle a tie and determine the winner of the set.
In a tiebreak, players win points on their serve, and the first player to win seven points with a two-point lead wins the set. If the score reaches 6-6 within the tiebreak, play continues until one player scores two consecutive points.
All four majors, including the Australian Open, now apply a 10-point super tiebreak rule at key moments in matches, such as when the score is tied at 6-6. The introduction of this new tiebreak rule in 2019 has brought consistency and predictability to tiebreak situations, making the game fairer for tennis players.
This innovation in the rules aims to reduce the length of matches, thus protecting the health and performance of players. Previously, marathon matches, although attractive, put enormous pressure on the players, both physically and mentally.
The change in the rules was met with approval by the players and tournament organizers. John Isner, who has participated in some of the longest matches in tennis history, supported the introduction of a tie break after a score of 12-12, stressing that it is a compromise solution that respects tradition, but also meets the demands of modern tennis.
After testing this rule throughout the Grand Slam season, the Grand Slam Committee will review its effectiveness. If successful, the new tie-break rule could become a permanent part of tennis matches, adding to the dynamism and excitement that the sport naturally carries.
The tie break meaning refers to the special part of the match that decides the winner of the set when the score is tied at 6-6. This segment of the game allows for faster and more efficient ending of tied sets.
Tie-break rules dictate that the game be played to seven points, with a player having to have a two-point advantage to win the tie-break. In some tournaments, such as the Grand Slams, a “super tie-break” is applied in the deciding sets.
A tie break in tennis starts when both players win six games in a set, preventing the set from being extended indefinitely. The players then compete in a series of short points to determine the winner of the set.
How long the tie break is played depends on the tournament. It is customary to play up to seven points with a required margin of two points. However, in deciding sets at Grand Slam tournaments, the “super tie-break” is played to ten points.
The Super Tie Break is a variation where players play to ten points instead of the usual seven, often used in deciding sets at major tournaments such as Grand Slams.
