Next Gen ATP finals: New rules explained... SEVEN big changes, including NO line judges
THE Next Gen ATP finals kick off today with seven new rules to look out for.
Next Gen ATP Finals - the seven new rules for the tournament
What are the new rules at the Next Gen ATP finals?
The following innovative rules will be introduced in the Milan tournament, which starts on Tuesday:
Shorter Format
First to Four games sets (Tie-beak at 3-3), Best-of-five sets, with no ad scoring.
Shorter Warm-Up
Matches will begin precisely five minutes from the second player walk-on, leading to a reduction in down time before the beginning of matches.
Alexander Zverev has pulled out the tournament to focus on the ATP World Tour finals
Shot Clock
A shot clock will be used in between points to ensure strict regulation of the 25-second rule.
No-Let Rule
The No-Let rule will apply to serves, bringing in an additional element of unpredictability at the start of points.
Medical Time-Outs
A limit of one medical time out per player per match.
Player Coaching
Players and coaches will be able to communicate at certain points in the match (to be determined), providing additional content and entertainment value for broadcast. Coaches will not be allowed on-court.
Electronic line calling
The tournament will feature electronic line calling on all lines during the inaugural event.
The chair umpire will be the only match official on court, and instead of a lines person calling and signaling that the ball is in or out, an automated voice will call balls “out”. For serves, the same voice will shout “fault”.