About Joe Rill Expertise Can answer questions related to coaching and playing tennis including stroke production, skill evaluation, group drills, player evaluation, planning and record keeping, mental toughness, first aid and minor health issues, social aspects of club tennis, tennis rules and regulations, and tennis courtesy. I no longer desire to answer questions on "How to become a Pro."
Experience Forty years total playing experience including: 25 years tournament play, three year tennis club tennis director; former racket stringer; Graduate Vandermeer Tennis Univ I; Virginia HS League certified coach; Asst Tournament Director
Answer Hi Seymour,
Thanks for your question. I was out of town over the week end so I didn't see it until today. I am sorry for the delay. The USTA Rules provide for both 7 point and 10 point, match deciding tie breakers (App IV). As you might guess, they are called a “Deciding Match Tie-Break.” It is an abbreviated method that replaces the final set in a best of three or five set match. The main difference between these type tie-breakers and the “Super Tie-Breaker,” is that the USTA rules require the winner to be ahead by two points. The Super Tie-Breaker that you see most often in USTA League Play, Team Tennis, College Competition and Pro Tennis does not require the winner to be ahead by two points.
A Super-Tie Breaker is used to decide a USTA Team Tennis match if both teams have the same number of games in the total five individual matches (Women's and Men's Singles; Women's and Men's Doubles; and Mixed Doubles).
The Super Tie Breaker is played by the Mixed Doubles team. A coin toss decides which side serves first. Each player serves two points in a row starting from the deuce court. Players change ends after six points. The first team to score seven (or 10) points wins the Super Tie Breaker. If the score is 6-6 or 10-10, the team who served the 12th or 20th point will serve the 13th or 21st (Final) point. Because this is Mixed Doubles, the serve will be “gender-to-gender.” The winner of the 13th or 21st point wins the Super Tie-Breaker and the match. You do not have to win by two points.
