Next Gen ATP Finals rule changes: which ones should the tour adopt?

[AidenW]

The overview of the changes are as follows:

Shorter Format: First to Four games sets (Tie-Break at 3-All), Best-of-Five sets, with No-Ad scoring

• Shorter set format designed to increase number of pivotal moments in a match, while the best-of-five set format does not alter the number of games required to win a match (12) from the traditional scoring format. No-Ad scoring will be played (receiver’s choice).

Shorter Warm-Up

• Matches will begin precisely 5 minutes from the second player walk-on, leading to a reduction in down time before the beginning of matches.

Shot Clock

• A shot clock will be used in between points to ensure strict regulation of the 25-second rule, as well as during set breaks, Medical Time-Outs, and the five-minute countdown from the player walk-on to the first point of the match.

No-Let Rule

• The No-Let rule will apply to serves, bringing in an additional element of unpredictability at the start of points.

Medical Time-Outs

• A limit of 1 medical time out per player per match.

Player Coaching

• Players and coaches will be able to communicate at certain points in the match (to be determined), providing additional content and entertainment value for broadcast. Coaches will not be allowed on-court.

In addition, a ‘free movement’ policy will be applied to the crowd (except behind the baselines) throughout the tournament. The policy will enable fans to move freely in and out of the stadium during matches, providing a relaxed fan-friendly atmosphere and ensuring fans are not restricted entry into the stadium at any time.

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/rule-changes-innovation-for-next-gen-atp-finals-2017

***
I think the shot clock and the no-let rule are obvious ones. Coaching happening without coaches being present on the court? Is this a texting situation?! I've always thought that coaching during the match is a bit irrelevant but I did enjoy the dynamic at the Laver Cup (as long as they're miked)...

 

[-NN-]

Yes
• Matches will begin precisely 5 minutes from the second player walk-on, leading to a reduction in down time before the beginning of matches.
• A limit of 1 medical time out per player per match.

Maybe
• The No-Let rule will apply to serves, bringing in an additional element of unpredictability at the start of points.

 

[AidenW]

It's going to be very interesting to see how the 'free movement' allowance plays out.
I don't think that spectators being seated and quiet during points has made tennis unnecessarily stuffy compared to other sports. The intensity of crowd focused on the match adds a lot to the atmosphere...

 

[-NN-]

It's going to be very interesting to see how the 'free movement' allowance plays out.
I don't think that spectators being seated and quiet during points has made tennis unnecessarily stuffy compared to other sports. The intensity of crowd focused on the match adds a lot to the atmosphere...

Use it at Masters and below but not the Slams - I like that idea.

 

[Fedberg20]

The No-Ad and shorter sets suck in my opinion. Shorter warm-up is strange as well, but I guess guys can do it before the match. The let rule is not needed, while the player coaching is just a confirmation of the already well-known fact players are being coached almost all the time.

The MTO's, Shot clock and Crowd movement are welcome additions, but I don't know how Nadal will even play under those conditions

 

[mike danny]

I think the no let rule makes sense. If the ball can touch the net duringba rally, why not after a serve too?

 

[Sysyphus]

Yes to limiting MTOs.

Ambivalent to shorter warm-up and shot clock. There's both upside and downside to these.

Decisive No to shorter match format, No-Ad (sucks as a player, and kills the charm of long, dramatic games for the viewer), coaching (one of the most unique sides of tennis is its isolation; even the boxer has his corner), No-Let, and free crowd movement (considering how vexed players currently get with crowd movement, imagine with a freely moving crowd).

 

[Moonarse]

is the "free movement" addition respect the silence rule?

 

[George Turner]

Limiting MTO's and having a shot clock is a big yes. Djokovic will miraculously stop needing treatment when the MTO's are limited, everyone knows he does it for tactical reasons. Same with players who go over the shot clock. Those rules should not be there for players to use tactically.

Shorter sets and no let rule are big no's. Shorter sets sound childish and seems to appeal to a brand of people with a very short attention span (like 20/20 cricket.) No let rule is appauling, how many times will break points be saved by a let? That's complete luck, making tennis more of a lottery. No thanks.

Unsure about player coaching, they could make it a bit like player talking tactics with the captain in the David Cup? That would be interesting.

Couldn't care less about shorter warm Ups, doesn't seem relevant.

 

[TheAverageFedererFan]

The only thing I like is the Shot Clock, because it makes matches shorter, we see more time on points then getting ready for the serve.

The On Court Coaching might work, we will have to see. One medical timeout per match is good, but if it is really bad then maybe give an extra to a severely injured player.

The shorter match formatting is really not good to me honestly, players won't have enough time to find their game and maybe comeback.

The No Let Rule could be quite cool actually, I mean if you have the Let be fine during the point, make it fine during the serve too.

 

[diggler]

A lot of proposed rule changes have been implemented.

Shorter Format: First to Four games sets (Tie-Break at 3-All), Best-of-Five sets, with No-Ad scoring

• Shorter set format designed to increase number of pivotal moments in a match, while the best-of-five set format does not alter the number of games required to win a match (12) from the traditional scoring format. No-Ad scoring will be played (receiver’s choice).

This one never got up. Personally I would prefer each set to be a long tie break, but that's just me.

I don't mind no ad scoring. Works in the doubles. Keeps the match moving.

Shorter Warm-Up

• Matches will begin precisely 5 minutes from the second player walk-on, leading to a reduction in down time before the beginning of matches.

I don't think this one got up. Actually why do they need a warm up anyway? Surely they had a warmup on a practice court beforehand. In golf and baseball, you don't have a practice hit.

Shot Clock

• A shot clock will be used in between points to ensure strict regulation of the 25-second rule, as well as during set breaks, Medical Time-Outs, and the five-minute countdown from the player walk-on to the first point of the match.

Shot clock has been introduced.

No-Let Rule

• The No-Let rule will apply to serves, bringing in an additional element of unpredictability at the start of points.

This was recently suggested by Craig Tiley. I think lets should be eliminated at all levels of play.

Medical Time-Outs

• A limit of 1 medical time out per player per match.

There should be one time out that you can use for anything. Medical or tactical.

Player Coaching

• Players and coaches will be able to communicate at certain points in the match (to be determined), providing additional content and entertainment value for broadcast. Coaches will not be allowed on-court.

Coaching now allowed from one end.

In addition, a ‘free movement’ policy will be applied to the crowd (except behind the baselines) throughout the tournament. The policy will enable fans to move freely in and out of the stadium during matches, providing a relaxed fan-friendly atmosphere and ensuring fans are not restricted entry into the stadium at any time.

At the Australian Open, spectators were allowed to resume their seats at the end of each game. They should be allowed to move at the sides at any point.

 

[Bartelby]

I think the no let rule makes sense. If the ball can touch the net duringba rally, why not after a serve too?

Because a serve starts a point and you must land in a small box. And you get two of them.