Roger Federer & Angelique Kerber Comment on Australian Open Tie Break Rules
Tennis – 20-time mens Grand Slam champion and three-time womens Grand Slam champion have given their views on the new tie-break rules to be introduced at the Australian Open in Melbourne starting this year.
The first Grand Slam of the season will have an extended tie-break at 6-6 in the final set instead of the traditional full set. Speaking in Perth where Switzerland defeated Germany in the final of the Hopman Cup, Federer said, We will miss the 70-68 in the fifth, so thats a pity.
I am okay with any format really. The thing is, when it goes to six-all in the fifth, youve had plenty of chances to win it, or lose it, so from that standpoint how it ends is secondary in my opinion. The funny thing is we have four different formats in four Slams, so it is important to remind yourself whats going on and which one it is.
Kerber said she liked playing extended sets as it requires players to be physically fit, which she feels is one of her strengths. I like physical matches and, if you come here to Australia, you have to be really fit.
With the weather, the conditions, its really hot and humid and you have to be ready for that. I have no idea if I like (the new rule) or not. It might be easier because you can save energy, on the other side it is a tradition to play the advantage set.
Lets see how it works this year. The new rule means that all four Grand Slams will have different rules when it comes to the final set. For several years now, the US Open has been playing a traditional tie-break at 6-6; Wimbledon has decided to use final set tie-breaks at 12-12 starting from this years Championships; the Australian Open will use an extended tie-breaker at 6-6 in the final set now; and the French Open remains the only Slam to not use a final set tie-break and play the extended final set.
