should tennis matches have a "serve clock"

[forehand_dude]

do you like either of these ideas?

Technology can help. Just like the NBA where there is a shot-clock, why not have a big timer right behind both baselines, visible to everyone that starts off after the server takes to the baseline.

Give the server 10 seconds from the moment they take the baseline (plant their foot near the baseline) to the moment they toss the ball

The time between points can still remain a little flexible the way it is right now, as sometimes players run to their chair to get another racquet or choose between balls or even get their minds to focus (twiddle with the strings..whatever), but once they take the baseline it would be fair to the opponent to toss within a time limit.

The penalty should be the loss of a serve. So player goes to second serve on first serve violation and loses the point on second serve violation. You cannot call it unfair since it applies to BOTH players.

Such a simple thing and it would be great for the game. Although it should be a 20 sec clock that the umpire starts when the point ends.

 

[Moose Malloy]

I was watching a WCT highlight show recently. Apparently in the 70s, there was much concern about the really long rallies that Vilas & Borg engaged in.

So at the Dallas WCT event(a really big event at the time), they actually had a clock oncourt! It reset after each point ended & counted down.

I think it would be great for fan interest, & the umpire wouldn't have to worry about timing players, you know players would be more carefull if all the world could see if they are playing fair or not.

 

[user92626]

This is a badly constructed poll. The choice I want is not even there. I'd like to see they keep it the way it is -- decent, reasonable, focusing on the quality of the serve (to determine skill) and not on technicality of rules.

 

[vbranis]

Good idea, and it would also force players to finish their motion once they start. It is really annoying when a player catches his toss and starts all over again (Venus Williams always does it).

 

[gj011]

The "serve clock" in not possible to implement properly. Players are often forced to wait for audience to quiet down. How will this be handled? Audience could intentionally be noisy until the clock expires.

Leave it as it is.

 

[vbranis]

The serve clock in not possible to implement properly. Players are often forced to wait for audience to quiet down. How will this be handled? Audience could intentionally be noisy until the clock expires.

Leave it as it is.

Forgot about that. Totally agree with everything you said.

 

[Commando Tennis Shorts]

The great thing about tennis (and what makes it distinguishable from other sports) is that tennis doesn't have to constantly change rules and implement gimmicky technicalities. Such a "shot clock" would only hurt the sport and turn it into "just another sport".

 

[Moose Malloy]

The great thing about tennis (and what makes it distinguishable from other sports) is that tennis doesn't have to constantly change rules and implement gimmicky technicalities.

you mean 'gimmicks' like a challenge system?

or blasting music on the changeovers?

or allowing on-court coaching?

or having models with low-cut tops serve as ballgirls?

We'll what else is done to increase its fan base in 10+ years or so.

 

[BallzofSkill]

while it would be nice, i think it would be hard to implement also.

 

[zhanny]

some times after a 40 shot rally both parties need time to breathe...
so it should be at the umpires discretion...
you cant put enough oxygen in ur lungs/blood stream under 20 seconds if u had an epic of a rally with drop shots and lobs and everything

 

[Leublu tennis]

This is a badly constructed poll. The choice I want is not even there. I'd like to see they keep it the way it is -- decent, reasonable, focusing on the quality of the serve (to determine skill) and not on technicality of rules.

I agree. There are lots of things that can happen after a point is played that are not necessarily controllable by the serving player. But, in general, I have no problem with some kind of reasonable time limit for getting on with the game.

 

[M J]

I think it's a good idea, but I would prefer the umpires just to enforce the present rule more strictly. Nadal matches and Djokovic matches are much more boring than they need to be since they take so much time between points. There should still be some umpire discretion if the crowd is noisy, or they just finished a long point. Other than that, the rule should be enforced.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Good idea, and it would also force players to finish their motion once they start. It is really annoying when a player catches his toss and starts all over again (Venus Williams always does it).

So, do you continue through your service motion, through a bad toss?

Never mind the crowd, wind, sun or god knows what else, but you think they should just continue with the motion?

 

[MoFed]

I would like to see them simply enforce the time rule. If the umps hold the players to the time rule having a play clock would be unnecessary.

 

[daddy]

I think it's a good idea, but I would prefer the umpires just to enforce the present rule more strictly. Nadal matches and Djokovic matches are much more boring than they need to be since they take so much time between points. There should still be some umpire discretion if the crowd is noisy, or they just finished a long point. Other than that, the rule should be enforced.

They both play good tennis to reach nr2 and nr3 in the world so .. I dont think they would have done much worse f at all if they were forced to serve within 5 seconds from the end of previous point, even more so for naddal, who is a physical animal. He would just wear down federer even more and sooner on clay.

 

[grizzly4life]

good lord, enforce the basic rules and some basic etiquette.

nadal's time between serves

joker's bouncing of the balls

maria's grunting. williams sisters too.

anna's squeaky shoes...

all the fist-pumping and "come on" after every point on the WTA

it's all really bad and nadal/maria are ridiculous. could you imagine football if tom brady didn't have to follow the time clock?

in fairness, djokovic and anna aren't so bad.

 

[boredone3456]

this is a very unfair idea in my opinion, some people have longer serve motions than others and how could possibly account for the returner holding up the serve game,the way it is is fine as most players don't take exceding amount of time...mary peirce types being the exception

 

[drakulie]

I would like to see a time clock during points as well. That way, all those endless baseline exchanges at the French would be cut short.

 

[Tempest344]

no
it would put more pressure on anyone who is serving because they have the clock to worry about

 

[Duzza]

Ummm isn't there already a rule that states the server must take no longer than 25 seconds in between the last point and starting the next one?

The umpires are just scared of enforcing it.

 

[vbranis]

So, do you continue through your service motion, through a bad toss?

Never mind the crowd, wind, sun or god knows what else, but you think they should just continue with the motion?

Once you toss the ball up, you are basically commiting yourself to the serve and should follow through with it, not make your opponent split-step and begin his take-back only to realize that play stopped. It's almost like a do-over, which shouldn't be allowed, especially at that level. Just my two cents' worth.

 

[JackSkellington]

Sometimes you need to be subjective, particularly after extremely long rallies or on big points. I vote against. 20 sec from after the point ends? Do you know how many trash matches that would produce?

 

[montx]

It would be more pressure and might throw servers off their game as well

 

[Morrissey]

How about the chair umpire doing his job? Maybe that's a more reasonable solution.

 

[match]

time closck

dumd idea too many changes in the game to right now .....keep it simple

 

[CashDudeHomie]

Yes they should have this. If the crowd is being loud after an emotional point or something, have a button for the umpire to instantly reset it to 10 seconds. This would be a great idea to attract casual fans and reduce gamesmanship. Just no loud buzzer when it reaches zero LOL.

 

[NamRanger]

The "serve clock" in not possible to implement properly. Players are often forced to wait for audience to quiet down. How will this be handled? Audience could intentionally be noisy until the clock expires.

Leave it as it is.

It's called learning to control the crowd. Football players deal with MUCH bigger crowds. Jimmy Conors was a MASTER of doing this. Tennis isn't such a big sport because the crowd is no longer really into it. This idea means that player's have to be REAL careful now, and they have to worry about not ******* off the crowd.

 

[JackSkellington]

Yes they should have this. If the crowd is being loud after an emotional point or something, have a button for the umpire to instantly reset it to 10 seconds. This would be a great idea to attract casual fans and reduce gamesmanship. Just no loud buzzer when it reaches zero LOL.

How is a ticker going to attract casual fans? A huge ticker will just make tennis look cheap.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

USO and AO might be trying to out-progressive one another now.