The
US Open is set to keep the 10-point tiebreak after implementing it last year to replace the seven-point tiebreak that was previously used.
The last Grand Slam of the year was the first to implement any kind of tiebreak system back in 1970. Back then, it was a sudden-death first-to-five tiebreak. The serves alternated 2-2-2-3 and a deciding point was played at 4-4.
However, in 1975, the New York major changed the rules to make it a seven-point tiebreak system which required players to win by two, following complaints about the five-point format.
Rules were updated last year
However, the rules were changed again for the 2022 US Open, updating the tiebreak rules to the ten-point format used at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon.
The decision was announced by the Grand Slam board in order to ensure greater consistency in rules across the highest-level tournaments and was made after extensive consultation with the
WTA,
ATP, and
ITF.
The rule was trialed last year and now looks like it's here to stay.
The 10-point tie-break system means that if players reach six games all in the final set, the winner will be decided by whoever reaches 10 points with an advantage of two points or more.
The tiebreak is played in lieu of the final set for mixed doubles, junior doubles, and wheelchair doubles.