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‘Biggest Impact Going to Be In Wimbledon’- Rafael Nadal Weighs in on New Tie Break Rule for Fifth Sets

Published 03/20/2022, 10:20 AM EDT

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Recently, Rafael Nadal gave his views on the new scoring system announced by the Grand Slam Board. Coming as a joint decision by all the four grand slams, the final set of a major will now have a 10-point tiebreaker at 6-6. Much of the tennis community welcomed the decision with open arms. However, Nadal, who recently won his 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, shrugged it off, saying, “I don’t care much.”

The Spanish sensation is on the verge of winning the Indian Wells. However, it is the French Open that the 13-time champion is eyeing. What makes it even more important is that the 10-point tie-breaker ruling will start from the 2022 Roland Garros itself. During his 4th round press conference at Indian Wells, Nadal gave his opinions on the new ruling.

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Rafael Nadal gives his views on the new ruling

Talking to the press following his 4th round win on Reilly Opelka, Nadal was asked about his views on the new ruling. Not giving too much importance to the question, Nadal shrugged off his shoulders, saying, “Well, I don’t care much honestly. I honestly don’t have a clear opinion.”

Instead of going critical, the Spaniard opted to take a neutral stand on the topic, asserting that he doesn’t feel that the decision will make a major difference. “I am not in favor or not against. I think that’s what they decided. Happy with it or not? I don’t care. Honestly, I don’t think going to make a big difference,” he said.

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Clay court is the slowest surface out of the four surfaces used in tennis. Apart from being slow, the surface also gives the player a chance to hit a perfectly timed shot. Thanks to its ball bounce.

On the other hand, a grass court is a fast-paced court with the least ball rise. Considering the court conditions, it is natural that it is much easier to break the opponent’s serve on a clay court compared to a grass court. Nadal feels no different.

Voicing his opinion further, Nadal said, “I read that everyone going to be the same. In some way, that’s positive. I don’t think in Roland Garros makes a big impact. My opinion the biggest impact going to be in Wimbledon. Sometimes it’s so difficult to break, so the matches become very long.”

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The 21-time Grand Slam champion concluded his take by re-emphasizing the fact that the ruling will affect Roland Garros much.

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“But I don’t feel that for Roland Garros change a lot. Okay, yes, can be a few more games, but I don’t feel in Roland Garros you going to go normally 22-20. In Wimbledon that can happen.”

What do the new rulings say?

As per the new ruling announced on 16th March 2022, unlike earlier, all the Grand Slams will now have a 10-point tiebreaker at 6-6 in the final set. As per the Grand Slam Board, the decision was taken keeping in mind the powerful urge to make more prominent consistency in the standards of the game at the Grand Slams, and subsequently, improve the experience for the players and the fans.

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WATCH THIS STORY-Hilarious Meaning of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams on Urban Dictionary!

The decision is currently in its trial phase and will be reviewed after the completion of one full Grand Slam year.

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Written by:

Ahmar Wasif

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Ahmar Wasif is a tennis author at EssentiallySports. He is a national level tennis player and has a number of titles to his name. His experience on the court allows him to incorporate a deeper understanding in his coverage of the sport.
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