Expert: Joe Rill - 3/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: *can the Men's US Open Tie Breakers be 10 points or 7 points at the rules committee discretion and changed yearly? * Which person starts serving in a US Open tie breaker? *How often and when/why do the players change sides in the tie breaker? * The winner of the tie breaker must win by two points correct? * How many games in the Men's US Open championship match. Best of 5 or the best of 7? *Approximately how many total players in the Men's US Open and how are they invited and seeded? * Approximately how many players can enter the Men's US Open qualifying tournament and how many get to advance to the main tournament? *Is a serve by one of the best in the game like Roddick or Samprus (in past) at 135 MPH to 142 MPH considered one of their best or did this speed happen fairly regularly? * Approximately 23,000 seats in Auther Ashe stadium correct? Thank you Joe as I am finalizing information on this ASAP and I need the answers ASAP. THANK YOU!!!
ANSWER: Hi Rick,
Normally I limit my answers to one question.  But you sounded like this was important and asked for a rapid response so here you are.

There are SET tie breakers (First to 7 with margin of 2 points) and MATCH tiebreakers (First to 10 with a margin of 2 points).  See USTA Regs I.V.1. US Open uses Set Tie Breakers even in the final set.  The 10 point tiebreaker is normally used in place of a final set (not at US Open).  In other words, the players start the final set by playing a 10 point tie breaker.  This is not unusual in smaller, unsanctioned tournaments in which the tie breaker is played when the score is one set all.  USTA Reg I.V.3. requires set-tiebreakers in all sanctioned tournaments to be as described in USTA Rule 27.b.  Certainly the USTA can and does change the rules annually, that’s how the tie-breaker became law.  But at the present time the above rules are in effect.

The person to start the set tie-breaker is the one whose turn it is to serve based on who served last.  The person who starts the match tie-breaker does not have to be the one whose turn it is based on the last person to serve in the previous set.  This is because the 10 point tie-breaker takes the place of a new set.  Thus, in doubles, the pair whose turn it is to serve (because the other pair served last in the previous set) may start to serve with either member of the pair just as it would be if they were playing a normal set.  In both kinds of tie breakers, the opponents change ends after every 6 points.

You are correct; the winner of the tie-breaker must win by two points.

The US Open Championship Match is best of five or the first one to win three sets.  The number of games in such a match could vary from 6 per set times three sets (6-0, 6-0, 6-0 =18 games) up to 13 games per set times five sets (7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 = 65 games).

The men’s singles draw in the US Open is 64 players.  Men’s Doubles has a draw of 64 pairs. Admission to the main singles draw is based on ATP points except for wild cards.  In 2004 there were nine wild cards. When Michael Chang was 15 years old, he was one of 8 Wild Card entries.  See USTA Reg Para III. A. 5. i. for a discussion of Junior Wild Cards.  Seeding is determined by a committee that considers rankings, records, types of surface, head to head encounters, as well as other subjective considerations.  A player may be ranked number one, but not seeded number one.

Roddick’s record holding serve of 150 mph is his fastest.  He does not serve that fast even “fairly regularly.”  But the fast serving Pro’s do serve in the 135 mph range frequently.

Arthur Ashe Stadium holds from 22,547-23,157 spectators depending on which reference you use.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jim I cannot thank you enough for your generous and gracious help and extremely valuable time. I am indebted to you. Given that may I please ask for follow up clarification on three questions as I have this darn deadline ASAP and I'm afraid if I went to the USTA Reg. Rules I would only be more confused. Again I am indebted Jim. (1.) So this means, given today's rules, if the Men's US Open Championship is tied after three sets at say 6-1/6-2,6-4/7-5, and then 6/6 they would go to a "set tie breaker" using seven points to determine the Champion correct? (2.) However you said the USTA could at their discretion announce prior to the beginning of the US Open tournament that they would be using a ten point set tie breaker if they so choose. In other words in staed of 7 points , use 10 points. Would that be highly unlikely?) (3.) When you say Wild Cards I assume you mean these are people who played in the qualifying tournament and because they finished well or high up in the qualifying tournament get to advance and enter and play in the main or real tournament. Is that correct? Again Jim I am indebted and it is people like you that make one proud to know that good people still exist. Thank you again. By the way just in case is there a tennis rules Telephone Hot Line # that one could call if necessary? Thank you again Jim.  

Answer
(1) So this means, given today's rules, if the Men's US Open Championship is tied after three sets at say 6-1/6-2,6-4/7-5, and then 6/6 they would go to a "set tie breaker" using seven points to determine the Champion correct?

Is tied after FOUR sets at 6-6—Correct they would play a 7 point tie breaker

(2.) However you said the USTA could at their discretion announce prior to the beginning of the US Open tournament that they would be using a ten point set tie breaker if they so choose. In other words in staed of 7 points , use 10 points. Would that be highly unlikely?)

USTA’s decision to use anything other than what is in the current rules would be announced far in advance of the US Open.  Yes, I think that would be highly unlikely.

(3.) When you say Wild Cards I assume you mean these are people who played in the qualifying tournament and because they finished well or high up in the qualifying tournament get to advance and enter and play in the main or real tournament. Is that correct?

No, that is not correct.  Wild cards could be former world class players who were no longer ranked high enough to make the main draw (Martina Hingus).  Or they could be promising players who had not yet made it into the rankings (Williams sisters).  Or they could even be local favorites who were not on the tour.  It is possible that someone from the “Qualis” captured the imagination of the public and was highly publicized by the media—someone like that could possibly be given a wild card as a public affairs ploy to raise awareness and attendance for the Open in particular and tennis in general.

[J]ust in case is there a tennis rules Telephone Hot Line # that one could call if necessary?

If there is, I am not familiar with it.  The USTA web site is the most authoritative reference but it is not very user friendly.  Every time I have asked them an e-mail question, however, they have been responsive and accurate.  There are lots of “Blogs” available with valuable information in them, but you have to really dig for the best ones.  You need to get a copy of the latest USTA Edition of FRIEND AT COURT—The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations.  It has the answers to most questions that arise.