Wimbledon 2023: How is the winner decided if they get to 6-6 in the fifth set?
Having made changes to the tie-break rules ahead of last year’s tournament, the Wimbledon Championships have continued in the same vein in 2023.
While The Championships at Wimbledon are steeped in history and tradition, this year there will be a minor tweak in the rules when it comes to tie-breaks.
The tie-break rules for Wimbledon 2023
You may recall that it was just last year when the Grand Slam Board announced that all four tournaments, the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open would adopt a universal rule for fifth-set tie-breaks. The idea was put in place as a one-year trial after discussions between the WTA, ATP, ITF, and the tennis officiating community. The introduction of the new tie-break format stemmed from the Grand Slam Boards’ hope to enhance the experience for players and fans by increasing the consistency of the rules.
So, what exactly are the tie-break rules at Wimbledon? Simply put, matches that reach 6-6 in the final set will now be decided by a 10-point tie-break. This was first used in Serena Williams’ first-round defeat to Harmony Tan in 2022. Previously at Wimbledon matches could continue until a player won by two clear games, such as in John Isner’s marathon win over Nicolas Mahut in 2010.
Djoker’s epic 25 game fifth set win in 2019 was a perfect example
Under the old rules in Wimbledon, the two-game advantage to win the fifth set was valid until the tie-break reached 12-12. After that, the win would be awarded to whoever won the next game. Such was the case when Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 in the Final.
The change in structure has been implemented in Men’s singles and doubles, Women’s singles and doubles, Wheelchair and Junior events. In every grand slam except Wimbledon, the Mixed Doubles, Junior Doubles and Wheelchair doubles will forego a final set and play the 10-point tie-break instead.