Wimbledon and Grand Slams announce major rule change moving forward

The Grand Slam Board has announced a trial into a new format for the final set at all four Majors to avoid different formats in different events causing confusion.

The Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open previously all had different rules for how to finish a match in the final set but they will now all play a first-to-ten-point tiebreak at 6-6 starting from Roland Garros this year.

The Australian Open was the only Major that adopted the new trial rule of a first-to-ten-point tiebreak at 6-6 in the final set, while the French Open had no tiebreak and needed a standard two-game advantage for a match to finish. Wimbledon and the US Open both have first-to-seven-point standard tiebreaks but at 12-12 and 6-6 in the final set respectively.

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The Grand Slam board released a statement saying:

"On behalf of the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, the Grand Slam Board are pleased to announce the joint decision to play a 10-point tie-break at all Grand Slams, to be played when the score reaches six games all in the final set.

Further to extensive consultation with the WTA, ATP, ITF and tennis officiating community, the Grand Slam Board’s decision is based on a strong desire to create greater consistency in the rules of the game at the Grand Slams, and thus enhance the experience for the players and fans alike."

The trial will extend to qualifying, main draw, juniors and wheelchair events in singles and will start and the French Open this year.