Final-Set Tiebreaks Coming to Wimbledon in 2019

Decision comes after a six hour, 35 minute match this year
By Luke Roney,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 19, 2018 5:29 PM CDT
Final-Set Tiebreaks Coming to Wimbledon in 2019
Denis Shapovalov, of Canada, makes a return against Benoit Paire, of France, during their men's singles match at the Wimbledon.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

Starting next year, Wimbledon will have tiebreaks when the score reaches 12-12 in the final set, ESPN reports. The change is "informed by a thorough review of match data from the past 20 championships" and consulting with players and coaches, the All England Lawn Tennis Club says in a statement. ESPN notes that players Kevin Anderson and John Isner advocated for a final-set tiebreak after their grueling match this year that finished 26-24 after six hours and 36 minutes. “Our view was that the time had come to introduce a tie-break method for matches that had not reached their natural conclusion at a reasonable point during the deciding set," AELTC Chairman Philip Brook said in the statement. (More Wimbledon stories.)

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