It already exists in New York and will also be used for the first time in Wimbledon next year: the tiebreak in the decision set. Now the organisers of the Australian Open are obviously also considering introducing a short decision at the end of the final round.
According to a report in the Times, the new regulation could enter into force as early as 2019. The organizers around tournament director Craig Tiley have already received confirmation from the “Grand Slam Board” that they will play a tiebreak in the fifth set starting next year.
Players are currently being asked about the planned change. The goal of the Australian Open is to have a decisive tie-break in the last set as early as next year.
In contrast to New York, where a normal short decision is made at the end of the match, and Wimbledon, where a tiebreak is only played from 12:12, Melbourne is where a so-called “super tiebreak” decides victory or defeat.
At 6:6 the professional wins, who first has at least ten points and at the same time two points ahead. This rule has been applied to the double tour since 2006 (ATP) and 2007 (WTA) respectively.
Should the Australian Open actually implement this plan, all four Grand Slam tournaments would have different rules in the fifth set. Only at the French Open there would be no tiebreak in the third or fifth set.