25 second stop clock at Aussie Open and new warm up rules.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

25 second stop clock at Aussie Open and new warm up rules.

indiana · Tennis legend

Those time things have really not bothered me in the past.

Re the stop clock at least if more consistency I guess that good, but that was for the umpires to be more consistent in the past and not occasionally showboat by suddenly coming in at important times. Don't know why it isn't the more obvious 30 seconds, as I believe is the time allowed in normal tour events. I hope it does prove as discreet as apparently has been the case in trial and the crowd don't say start mimicking the TV 'Countdown' clock !! I can see some controversy down the line still re consistency and when clocks have been started. Repeated ball tosses are my one slight aggravation but not really anyone's normal preparation.

Warm-up, so absolutely a non issue for me. As has been pointed out before the live crowds actually appreciate a good break between matches. Even after a normal until now say rather laxly timed warm-up it can take time for them to filter back in, Unnecessary, but at least they didn't follow some suggestions about practically doing away with warm ups, get on and play, even say straight after a 3 hour thriller.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I don't understand how the 25 second clock is meant to work.

Obviously, in the simple case, the server has 25 seconds from whenever the umpire clicks it on (a rather vague 'end of the last point' time) to when he 'starts' his serve. Easy. And good to combat against those who dilly-dally with towels, bounce endlessly and/or are just a bit unfit, or unfocused, or need extra time for whatever reason. Which isn't allowed.

But what about when the server is ready and the clock is ticking but it's the receiver who's fiddling with their racket and not ready? Or at the back with the towel? I guess if the receiver actually holds their hand up (because of someone in the crowd, say, not sitting down) the umpire will stop the clock. But what if the receiver is just delaying - subtly? It seems to me there's room for rather a lot of gamemanship, to put pressure on the server. And I don't know what the umpire can do, if anything, in that case.

christ · Futures level

There is likely to be no end of discussion of when the last point ended - the umpire may try to curtail the server's discussion of an incident regarding the current point by starting the stop clock - this will likely lead to controversy. ... or conversely if a player finds that he can extend his 25 second rest by discussing the previous point with the ump from his chair then when does the ump call time?

When does the shot clock stop? As the server hits the ball? What if contact is 500ms late - is it called a fault (or a warning, and if so when is the warning called)? Is there a timer on the gap between first and second serves?

On the one hand consistency is to be applauded, and a visible clock at least lets players know where they stand, but on the other hand it appears more to be an (obviously TV-centric) way to guarantee crowd involvement. I really do expect the crowd to start counting down on big points in rivalry games: I can imagine Mr Djokovic or Mr Nadal could get quite exasperated at the crowd "assistance" he may get when playing a Brit at Wimbledon, or anyone playing an American in the US Open (etc., etc.)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I think the current definition is that the time stops when the server commences the service action, which is relatively easy to pinpoint. (it's like deciding if something counts as a first serve - nothing to do with hitting the ball, just have you commenced the action?).

I'm far more concerned about the receiver's ability to subtly run down the clock - you only need them to effectively delay it 5 seconds or so and now the server is under pressure. Or the umpire stops the clock because he/she thinks the receiver is trying to interfere with the clock but the receiver contests it. As an umpire (although not Aussie Open standard

), I know that there's a lot of gamemanship in all levels of matches, and is difficult to police and leaves a nasty taste if not policed properly. Maybe it won't be an issue but that's my major concern.

wolf · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Don't know why it isn't the more obvious 30 seconds, as I believe is the time allowed in normal tour events.

It is 25 seconds in the normal tour events. It used to be 20 seconds in Slams, but in doing this new rule the ITF has actually given the players an extra five seconds and brought in line with the regular tour.

indiana · Tennis legend

wolf wrote:
indiana wrote:
Don't know why it isn't the more obvious 30 seconds, as I believe is the time allowed in normal tour events.
It is 25 seconds in the normal tour events. It used to be 20 seconds in Slams, but in doing this new rule the ITF has actually given the players an extra five seconds and brought in line with the regular tour.

Ah thanks wolf. I knew it had been 5 seconds less for Slams and assumed wrongly that the Slams were keeping their same time allowance. So that's sensible.

But there certainly does seem a view out there that this stop clock could prove more trouble than it is worth.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

People have raised quite a few points about gamesmanship that I didn't think of. I will watch with interest to see if this develops as it has with the challenge system. I hope it doesn't, it would give tennis a bad rep.

I hadn't thought about giving the crowd a break as Indy mentioned. Now I think about it, I remember a time at Wimby when there was a really long match and there was only a short break so the crowd was rubbish for the next set and there was no atmosphere. I guess that that could happen, so that would be a shame.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Seemingly we're getting the shot clock in the main draw of the US Open this year - will be interesting - as above, I have worries about gamesmanship but may be worrying about nothing....

pbs.twimg.com/media/Dh0P3n9UcAAQHn5.jpg:large

flamingowings · All-time great

Anything that potentially stops the constant ball bouncing when under pressure (See Cilic, Djokovic for starters) gets the ok from me.

the addict · Tennis legend

flamingowings wrote:
Anything that potentially stops the constant ball bouncing when under pressure (See Cilic, Djokovic for starters) gets the ok from me.

And the obvious time-wasting/delaying tactics from a few well-known names !