Roger Federer: 'I hope I don't play fifth-set tie-breaks'
gave his thoughts on the fifth set tie-break introduction in Grand Slams from this year. Last year Kevin Anderson and John Isner played a very long Wimbledon semifinal that lasted six hours and a half.
Federer commented on the four Majors having four different tie-breaks format: You would think that uniform would make sense, wouldnt it? At the same time, I think its also exciting this way at the end of the day.
They told us in the last five years, two per cent of the matches have finished this way here at the Australian Open. Its really that little amount of matches that actually go the distance. I feel like, I said this also in the past if you get to 6-6 in the fifth, youve had your chances, and so has your opponent had chances.
I think it also gives you an opportunity to keep on playing in the tournament if it ends like here or at the US Open in a tiebreaker in the fifth. At the same time I like tradition, I like the long sets. They even had them in normal sets, not just in the fifth set back in the day, when the likes of Tony Roche played, so forth.
From that standpoint, its a bit disappointing. At the same time, I understand where the game is going. Its getting more demanding potentially. But we dont play doubles or mixed any more as the old generation did.
They were incredibly tough, as well. I cant even see like we are fitter or tougher than they were because I feel like they were tough as nails. Actually, I think its quite funny that we have four different endings to slams.
But its all good from my side. I hope I wont be there anyway (smiling). ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal: Worse players than David Ferrer won a Grand Slam title
