Wimbledon to introduce final set tie-breaks in 2019

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Wimbledon will introduce tie-breaks in 2019 when the final set score reaches 12-12, the tournament organizer announced Friday.

The new rule will be applied to all matches at next year’s Wimbledon tournament, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said in a statement.

AELTC Chairman Philip Brook said: "Our view was that the time had come to introduce a tie-break method for matches that had not reached their natural conclusion at a reasonable point during the deciding set."

"While we know the instances of matches extending deep into the final set are rare, we feel that a tie-break 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 timeframe," Brook added.

This year’s semi-final between John Isner and Kevin Anderson finished in a 26-24 final set.