The ATP and the WTA want to reduce the number of tennis matches played late into the night with new rules
The ATP and the WTA want to reduce the number of tennis matches played late into the night with new rules. The player organizations in tennis also announced that they would ensure greater uniformity in the balls in the long term. Both of these topics had recently led to repeated discussions. “We are optimistic that we can make a difference on both fronts, now and in the longer term,” said ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.
In order to ensure more appropriate finishing times for the last matches of the match days, there will be no more than five matches per day and court at the men’s and women’s tournaments in future. Two matches are to take place during the night sessions. If players are unable to enter a court for their match by 10.30 p.m. at the latest, the match should be moved to another court and normally start by 11 p.m. at the latest.
The players’ organizations stipulate that the night session should start at 7:30 pm at the latest, but recommend that evening matches start at 6:30 pm. With the new rules, Alexander Zverev’s record match from Acapulco in 2022 is likely to stand for the time being. The German number one only won his match against Jenson Brooksby at 4.55 pm.
A strategic review of the ball problem is also underway and should lead to changes from 2025. The characteristics of the playing equipment should then be more similar without restricting the marketing opportunities of the tournaments any more.
