Thirty30 Tennis Blog - Next Generation ATP Finals trial Innovations including shorter format Fast4
Updated: Nov 26, 2019
The alternative shorter scoring method Fast4 is to be trialled during the Next Generation ATP Finals in Milan, 5 - 9 November 2019.
The tournament will feature a series of rule changes and innovations for the third consecutive year.
The event for the top eight men, 21 years and under, will see the continuation of a number of innovations, including a best-of-five set match format using Fast4: shorter sets to 4 (tie-break at 3-All), No lets and No-Ad scoring.
Other innovations include Electronic Line Calling through Hawk-Eye Live, a 25-second Shot Clock, In-Match player coaching via head-sets, Video Review and more.
The Fast4 rules are:
Rule #1 “NO-AD” SCORING METHOD : Matches will be played with No-Ad scoring. At deuce a deciding point will be played.
Rule #2 SHORTER SETS : The first player to win four games wins the set and if the score reaches three games all, a SHORT SET TIE-BREAK is played.
Rule #3 SHORT SET TIE-BREAK : The first player to win five points wins the “Game” and the “Set” with a deciding point if the score reaches four all.
Rule #4 “NO LET” RULE : There will be no lets on serves. CORRECTION - After 2 years of using this rule, the traditional 'Let" Rule is to be used in 2019.
Reference: 2019 International Tennis Federation’s Rules of Tennis rulebook, Appendix V “Alternative Procedures and Scoring Methods” on pages 25 & 26.
Thirty30 Tennis comment
Global attention spans are narrowing and many if not all sports, including tennis, are looking at shorter formats that are both participant and fan friendly.
Thirty30 (T30) tennis is the alternative shorter scoring method that still respects the traditions of tennis.
The Rules of T30 are very simple: Every game starts at 30-all! i.e. 30-30, announced “Thirty-Thirty” – the clue is in the name Thirty30!
Thirty30 match results look like: 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 whereas Fast4 match results look like: 4-1, 3-4, 4-2.
Sets to 4 games with a tie-break at 3-all and no advantage points played is just not tennis as we know it.
Thirty30 retains the traditions of sets to 6 games with a tie-break at 6-All and the deuce / advantage points are still played.
Thirty30 tennis - FEELS, LOOKS and SOUNDS like traditional tennis!
For further information click on recent articles:
Tennis TourTalk: Thirty30 Tennis - Where Every Point Really Counts
Tennis World USA: Thirty30 Tennis - The new kid on the block
Insider Sport: Mark Milne - Accelerating the evolution of tennis with the Thirty30 format
Thirty30 Tennis – Have You Tried It Yet? Click here for an Invitation to try Thirty30 Tennis.
Mark J Milne, Arbroath, Scotland
Creator of Thirty30 Tennis
Website: https://www.thirty30tennis.com
Email: contact@thirty30tennis.com
