Wednesday, October 23

ATP/WTA Announce Efforts to Curtail Late Finishes and a Strategic Review of Tennis Ball Deployment

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday January 9, 2024

After a lot heated debate, the ATP and WTA Tours have responded to gamers’ needs and carried out guidelines to keep away from late-night finishes at tournaments.

Tennis Express

With psychological and bodily well being on the fore, the excursions had created an untenable state of affairs through the years, permitting occasions to load up middle courtroom schedules with greater than 5 matches which continuously ended up with matches beginning after midnight and typically ending as late as three or 4 AM.

This November in Paris, issues hit a boiling level when the event scheduled six matches per day on its Centre Court, resulting in extraordinarily late finishes. Jannik Sinner famously pulled out of the event a day after finishing a match at 2:37 AM. He was scheduled to play 15 hours later, on the subsequent day.

Sinner’s withdrawal is certainly one of many examples of pointless and excessive demand positioned on the gamers as a result of event’s want to place as many marquee matches on the primary showcourts as potential, to boost ticket revenues and TV viewership.

Frustrated, and fatigued, gamers constantly referred to as for change in 2023, and their voices have been heard.

“The number of late match finishes (defined as matches finishing after midnight) has risen considerably in recent years, negatively impacting players and fans. This is tied to an increase in average match length on Tour,” the excursions stated in a joint assertion, launched Tuesday.


More particulars of the adjustments are listed beneath:

New guidelines associated to Match Scheduling can be carried out at WTA and ATP occasions and can be in impact from January 2024 as follows:

  • No greater than 5 matches per day per courtroom (with an 11AM begin), with three matches through the day session and two matches through the night session.
  • No matches to go on courtroom after 11PM, except permitted by the WTA/ATP Supervisor in session with WTA/ATP administration.
  • Matches not on courtroom by 10:30PM to be moved to an alternate courtroom – by no later than 11PM.
  • Night classes to start no later than 7:30PM, with a advice for six:30PM.

Strategic Review of Tennis Balls

The excursions additionally addressed one other sizzling button problem: the degradation in consistency and playability of tennis balls.

Players’ voices have as soon as once more been heard as many spoke out concerning the stark distinction in balls throughout totally different occasions, and the way they open the door unnecessarily to repetitive accidents.

“Historically, each individual tournament has had the ability to determine its own ball supplier or sponsor, leading to potential inconsistencies of balls used week-on-week,” the assertion from the WTA and ATP learn.


“The intention is to now move towards a more consistent and centralized approach by WTA and ATP. The goal is to deliver greater ball consistency within tournament swings for players, and tighter certification and specification requirements for an enhanced end-product, while not adversely affecting revenue streams for tournaments.” Both tour CEO’s made transient statements within the circulated e mail.

Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO, stated: “We feel it is important that these initiatives are fully aligned between the two Tours and will allow for athletes to perform at their highest levels, providing for an improved athlete and fan experience. The athlete’s direct feedback in cooperation with our event members has been terrific in allowing us to continue modernizing our sport.”

Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman, stated: “Match scheduling and tennis balls are both priority topics on our agenda, together with the WTA. It’s imperative that we evolve and adapt to the demands of the modern game, particularly where player health and fan experience are concerned. We’re optimistic about the impact we can make on both these fronts, now and in the longer term.”

Content Source: www.tennisnow.com