Tennis News • “The John Isner Rule” • Wimbledon Institutes Last-Set Tiebreaker

By Ricky Dimon
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: October 19, 2018

Photo by 10sBalls

By Ricky Dimon

“The John Isner Rule” has finally arrived–at least at Wimbledon.

Starting in 2019, Wimbledon will become the second of the four majors to feature a tiebreaker in the fifth set. While the U.S. Open plays it at the traditional 6-6 score, the All-England Club will let fifth sets play out until 12-12 before a tiebreaker will bring an end to the proceedings.

The Australian Open and French Open, for the time being, still play out a full fifth set.

“Our view was that the time had come to introduce a tiebreak for matches that had not reached their natural conclusion at a reasonable point during the deciding set,” All-England Lawn and Tennis Center chairman Philip Brook stated. “While we know the instances of matches extending deep into the final set are rare, we feel that a tiebreak at 12-12 strikes an equitable balance between allowing players ample opportunity to complete the match to advantage, while also providing certainty that the match will reach a conclusion in an acceptable time frame.”

John Isner (L) of the USA poses with Nicolas Mahut (R) of France next to the scoring board after winning his first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2010. EPA/ALISTAIR GRANT / POOL

Isner and Kevin Anderson waged a semifinal battle that ended with Anderson prevailing 26-24 in the fifth this summer. The six-hour and 35-minute extravaganza reignited a debate that began in earnest back in 2010–also involving Isner. That’s when he famously outlasted Nicolas Mahut in a 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 70-68 marathon that lasted 11 hours and five minutes over three days.

“I’m a proponent of changing that rule, for sure,” Isner said following his loss to Anderson. “I think it needs to be done.”

“It’s way beyond a normal tennis match or tactics,” Anderson concurred. “I’s just who’s going to outlast each other. It’s pretty tough in the format that we have right now, especially at slams. I mean, it’s not easy in that setting at the end.”

During that same post-match press conference, the 6’8” South African suggested the tiebreaker at 12-12 option.

When told of Anderson’s suggestion, Isner called it “a sensible idea.”