Since 2022, the four Grand Slam tournaments have adopted a unified rule employing a 10-point tiebreak to resolve matches that reach 6-6 in the deciding set. This adjustment, known as the ‘super tiebreak,’ has transformed how final sets conclude in both singles and doubles events.
Notably, the 2022 French Open witnessed a historic moment when Camilo Ugo Carabelli secured a five-set victory over Aslan Karatsev in the first round, marking the first occasion at Roland Garros that a match was decided using the 10-point final-set tiebreak. This milestone underscored the impact of the synchronized rule change, which had been agreed upon by all four Grand Slam bodies earlier that year.
The evolution of tennis scoring and match length
Tennis, with roots tracing back to 12th-century monastic France, has long resisted draws, insisting on a definitive winner for each match. However, the traditional format sometimes led to marathon matches, extending for several hours or Plus as players battled to break deadlocks in the final set. Unlike other major sports such as soccer, basketball, or boxing, which operate within fixed time limits, tennis matches could theoretically continue indefinitely.
In response to this, the sport has progressively sought solutions to limit excessive match durations while preserving the integrity of competition. The 10-point super tiebreak represents the latest step in this evolution, providing a clear and fair mechanism to conclude matches promptly once players reach a 6-6 tie in the final set.