A 10-pt tiebreak should never decide a match

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Caesar

You guys must have very short rallies. A relatively even set will take the better part of 45 minutes. Matches that go to three sets are usually fairly evenly contested.

Throw in a warmup etc. and by the time you get to the end of the second set, you're usually well into the last half hour of play for a 2hr court booking. A MTB means you can wrap up the match before the time runs out.

It's pretty rare I've played a three set match that's taken less than 2 hours. Most are closer to 2.5.

I'd guess that more then 75% of my points are over in 8 or less shots. I attack the net and end the point, and from the baseline I'm a total blaster. I find long rallies boring! Plus it prevents my opponent from grooving too well until deep into the match when it is too late.

-Fuji

[rainman007]

both players have the same conditions to win period.. if the third tiebreak set is to be a full set then you should not have tiebreaks to determine the first two sets in a 6-6 set you should have to win by two games.. I dont mind either way i think playing out the third set would show who the better player is that day vs getting lucky maybe in a tiebreak set but like i said the conditions are even for both players the better player that day is gonna win either way probably and it reduced the time like everyone mentioned..

[mikeler]

Lost 6-7, 6-0, 10-3 last night. Not fair, I won more games!!!

[Big_Dangerous]

Originally Posted by Caesar

No thanks.

A third set adds anything up to an hour onto the end of the match. It's an inconvenience for those of us with real lives, who have other things to do with our weekends.

A MTB keeps matchtimes down, and allows the finishing time to be more easily predicted. If you made everyone play best of three sets you'd have a lot of people giving up league play.

Eh part of signing up to play in a league is making a commitment. I didn't think you could play tiebreaks unless both parties agreed to it. For me I enjoy playing tennis, and I don't think I'd be down for a tiebreak in lieu of a third set. I see 3rd sets as valuable experience in a tight match, plus that's when fitness can be tested a bit.

To me, if you're signing up to play a full season you better be willing to make the commitment of time spent on the court and off the court. You gotta put in the hard yards from time to time. If you're not willing to do that, then you just shouldn't play in tennis leagues.

[Big_Dangerous]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Lost 6-7, 6-0, 10-3 last night. Not fair, I won more games!!!

I'm wondering if you can just decline to play a 3rd set breaker?

I've played a few 3 set matches before and in the league I play in, both parties have to agree to play a breaker instead of a 3rd set. I've never had any of the guys elect to or bring up playing a tiebreaker.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Big_Dangerous

I'm wondering if you can just decline to play a 3rd set breaker?

I've played a few 3 set matches before and in the league I play in, both parties have to agree to play a breaker instead of a 3rd set. I've never had any of the guys elect to or bring up playing a tiebreaker.

In this case, it was me who did not have time for a 3rd. My opponent would have played a 3rd set for sure.

[Spokewench]

Each District is able to tell its players what format it wants its players to play its leagues. So, some districts have timed games, some have full 3 sets; some have two sets and a 10 pt tie break in lieu of the third. It depends on what the District and League Coordinator has determined is best and is required.

Our District, you play a 10 pt tie breaker in lieu of third set. It's fine with me; but then, I'm now the league coordinator so I guess I'm the one who could change it if I wanted. You do not have a choice in my District

[jmverdugo]

I am ok with the third set tiebreak, If I could choose I would play a third set but I think third set tiebreak is good you just have to get use to it and mange yourself, same thing with no add.

How about if you put up a poll?

[Sakkijarvi]

"Just win baby."

[goober]

Originally Posted by kylebarendrick

Since pro doubles matches now use 10 point tiebreaks everywhere but the majors, I don't see how much success adult league players will have in arguing that we need to play full third sets.

ATP has also shown that the winning percentages of TB versus full 3rd set are almost identical. I use to be against them, but if you have a league match at night, it is simply not realistic for them to have 2 out of 3 sets due to time constraints at many tennis clubs.

[NoQuarter]

I don't think that my double faulting on match point in a 10-pt tiebreak should ever decide a match either.

[yonexpurestorm]

best of five, no tie break at 6-6 win by 2. i wish i could play that way. i, unlike many in this thread actually want to play tennis. why not just flip a coin see who wins and go home. at least you all got to look good in all your tennis gear that doesnt get used.

[goober]

Hear, hear make room... there is a new internet tough guy in town.

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by kylebarendrick

Since pro doubles matches now use 10 point tiebreaks everywhere but the majors, I don't see how much success adult league players will have in arguing that we need to play full third sets.

That is infuriating that its a champs tiebreak at the pro level. I hate it

[beeveewee]

Last year our district rule was to play until time was called. If you're into the third set and up by two games or more, you win the set. If not, you play a tiebreaker. They changed it to third set tiebreaker.

I liked the 'time' format MUCH better. This way if you have a close match you get to play tennis for the full time allotted for the match without dragging on indefinitely.

I'm with yonexpurestorm up to a point, "unlike many in this thread actually want to play tennis. why not just flip a coin see who wins and go home. at least you all got to look good in all your tennis gear that doesnt get used."

It is just plain stupid to play two sets and a tiebreak in 1:20 and then have to sit around for 40 minutes watching the rest of your team play tennis. Especially if it was a close matchup! It isn't like either of you have anything better to do while your team wraps up play. Why not play tennis? Hello?

[Caesar]

Originally Posted by yonexpurestorm

best of five, no tie break at 6-6 win by 2. i wish i could play that way. i, unlike many in this thread actually want to play tennis. why not just flip a coin see who wins and go home. at least you all got to look good in all your tennis gear that doesnt get used.

I like playing tennis. I also like knowing that my match will be out of the way in two hours and then I can get on with the rest of my weekend. If I have a singles and a doubles match and they're both best of 3 sets with no MTB, then the potential finish times could range over two hours or more depending on how competitive it is.

Maybe you guys are uni students so your weekends aren't that important, or maybe you're just really obsessed with tennis and don't care about anything else. Me, I have a pressure job and those two days are the only times I get a real opportunity for recreation and social activity. Tennis is part of that, but it's not the whole thing. I certainly don't like the uncertainty of a tennis fixture meaning I have to block out the better part of my Saturday. Little things - like being able to commit to meeting friends for lunch when I have a morning fixture - count.

I would say that the average poster on this site is a great deal more fanatical than the average league tennis player. Just because they don't want to pretend they're playing Wimbledon in the 1970s doesn't mean they don't like tennis.

[ttbrowne]

Originally Posted by goober

ATP has also shown that the winning percentages of TB versus full 3rd set are almost identical. I use to be against them, but if you have a league match at night, it is simply not realistic for them to have 2 out of 3 sets due to time constraints at many tennis clubs.

Then why have a 10 point? Why not have 3 points? Or 1 point? Flip a coin to see who serves first and have a 1 point TB. And if 10 is good then why not 12 or 14?

[yonexpurestorm]

Originally Posted by Caesar

I like playing tennis. I also like knowing that my match will be out of the way in two hours and then I can get on with the rest of my weekend. If I have a singles and a doubles match and they're both best of 3 sets with no MTB, then the potential finish times could range over two hours or more depending on how competitive it is.

Maybe you guys are uni students so your weekends aren't that important, or maybe you're just really obsessed with tennis and don't care about anything else. Me, I have a pressure job and those two days are the only times I get a real opportunity for recreation and social activity. Tennis is part of that, but it's not the whole thing. I certainly don't like the uncertainty of a tennis fixture meaning I have to block out the better part of my Saturday. Little things - like being able to commit to meeting friends for lunch when I have a morning fixture - count.

I would say that the average poster on this site is a great deal more fanatical than the average league tennis player. Just because they don't want to pretend they're playing Wimbledon in the 1970s doesn't mean they don't like tennis.

i do get where youre coming from. obviously best of five wouldnt happen, but i would enjoy it. this weekend i played my league match and then right after had a tournament match. i ended up playing 5 sets starting at 10 and ending at 3. then sunday i had the finals and played another 3. sometimes tennis takes a lot of my weekend, but i really enjoy playing, and the weekends i dont have tennis arent as fun. i work full time and play after work. i do understand that i play a lot more thant the average rec player, but i am trying to improve my game to compete at a much higher level. so for me i consider playing as training, and the more training the better results i will see.

[goober]

Originally Posted by ttbrowne

Then why have a 10 point? Why not have 3 points? Or 1 point? Flip a coin to see who serves first and have a 1 point TB. And if 10 is good then why not 12 or 14?

1 point tiebreak? I am not going even bother answering that.

As for 10 point versus 12 point or 14 point- that is a valid question. At some point if your tiebreak becomes too long, it defeats the whole purpose of having one in the first place. Would a 12 point tiebreak be fine- sure. At some point someone had to decide and they decided on a 10 point as reasonable number of points that would be longer than end of set tiebreak but short enough to handle time constraints.

With you argument you can ask- why 6 games to win a set? Why not 5 games or 7 games? Why 4 points to win a game? Why not 5 points or 3 points?

[goober]

Originally Posted by Big_Dangerous

Eh part of signing up to play in a league is making a commitment. I didn't think you could play tiebreaks unless both parties agreed to it. For me I enjoy playing tennis, and I don't think I'd be down for a tiebreak in lieu of a third set. I see 3rd sets as valuable experience in a tight match, plus that's when fitness can be tested a bit.

To me, if you're signing up to play a full season you better be willing to make the commitment of time spent on the court and off the court. You gotta put in the hard yards from time to time. If you're not willing to do that, then you just shouldn't play in tennis leagues.

No- when you sign up for a league, you are signing up and agreeing to play but the rules set forth by the league. If you don't like the league rules don't sign up for it. If a league has a 10 point TB that is what you are agreeing to play when you sign up. I have seen leagues at tennis centers that give you exactly a 1.5 hour time slot and whatever the score is at when the time is over is the final result. I have seen leagues that ONLY play 2 sets with no 10 point tiebreaker.

Your commitment to fitness is commendable, but has nothing to do with your commitment to a league when you sign up.