What is a Tie Breaker in Tennis?
A tie breaker or “breaker” is a format used in tennis and other sports to decide a winner when a game has reached a score of 6-6. It is used in singles and doubles play and is also known as a “sudden death” or “sudden victory” system. A tie breaker is played as a mini-game that is similar to normal tennis, but with modified rules to decide who wins the match.
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History of the Tie Breaker
The tie breaker was invented by James Van Alen, a tennis enthusiast and the founder of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Van Alen, who was also the first president of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), suggested the tie breaker as a way to make tennis more exciting and to create more consistent scoring. He proposed the tie breaker in 1965, and it was adopted by the USTA in 1970. Since then, the tie breaker has been used in professional and amateur tennis matches all over the world.
How Does a Tie Breaker Work?
In a tie breaker, players take turns serving two points, usually starting with the player who was receiving in the last game. The player who serves first has the advantage of being able to win the tie breaker by scoring seven points before their opponent. The server must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 6-6, the tie breaker is decided by a “sudden death” point. The player who wins the sudden death point wins the tie breaker and the match.
What is the Longest Tie Breaker in Tennis History?
The longest tie breaker in tennis history took place at the 2004 French Open between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement. The match lasted for an incredible six hours and 33 minutes, with Santoro eventually winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 3-6, 16-14. The tie breaker alone lasted for an hour and 12 minutes, with Santoro eventually prevailing 16-14.
The French Open 2004 Match
The match between Santoro and Clement was a grueling, five-set affair that featured some of the best tennis ever played. The two players exchanged leads throughout the match, with Santoro eventually prevailing in the fifth set tie breaker. The match was so long that it was stopped in the middle of the fifth set tie breaker due to darkness. The players resumed the match the following day, and Santoro eventually won after an incredible hour and 12 minutes.
The Longest Tie Breaker in Men’s Singles Tennis
While the Santoro/Clement match holds the record for the longest tie breaker in tennis history, the longest tie breaker in men’s singles tennis took place in the 2015 Davis Cup between Tomas Berdych and Marco Cecchinato. The match lasted for four hours and 41 minutes, with Berdych eventually winning 7-6 (13-11). The tie breaker alone lasted for an incredible 45 minutes, with Berdych eventually prevailing 13-11.
Notable Tie Breakers
Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic (2010)
One of the most memorable tie breakers in recent years took place at the 2010 US Open between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The match lasted for an incredible four hours and five minutes, with Nadal eventually prevailing 7-5, 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5). The tie breaker alone lasted for an incredible 25 minutes, with Nadal eventually prevailing 7-5.
Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick (2009)
Another classic tie breaker occurred at the 2009 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. The match lasted for an incredible four hours and 18 minutes, with Federer eventually prevailing 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14. The tie breaker alone lasted for an incredible 28 minutes, with Federer eventually prevailing 16-14.
Conclusion
The longest tie breaker in tennis history took place at the 2004 French Open between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement. The match lasted for an incredible six hours and 33 minutes, with Santoro eventually winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 3-6, 16-14. The tie breaker alone lasted for an hour and 12 minutes, with Santoro eventually prevailing 16-14. The match between Santoro and Clement is remembered as one of the greatest tennis matches of all time, and the longest tie breaker in the sport’s history.
Tie breaker, Tennis, Fabrice Santoro, Arnaud Clement, James Van Alen, International Tennis Hall of Fame, United States Tennis Association (USTA), sudden death, sudden victory, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick