Alternate Match Formats

The following letter was included in an issue of Bob Larson’s Daily Tennis, a subscription-based industry newsletter covering the professional and collegiate scenes. The letter was from a Division I college coach (name withheld) and gave suggestions for altering the format of collegiate tennis matches to make them shorter and more fan-friendly.

A response from another college coach, who feels that the college tennis format is fine as is, follows. We hope this exchange gives you ideas for how to make your dual matches the best they can be.

You will be limited to what format you can use for dual matches by your league, but you can try other formats for preseason nonconference practices or tournaments you host. You might also talk to your fellow coaches about changing your league’s rules if long matches are a problem.

Dear Bob,

I have developed a dual match tennis format I am promoting at this years ITA convention. A recent e-mail of ITA coaches found the proposal favored 81-6. The proposal brings the match time down to three hours and brings in some exciting components, all of which have been tested.

Proposed Collegiate tennis Match Format

SESSION I: Three doubles matches each worth one point. Play an 8-game pro set.

BREAK BETWEEN SINGLES AND DOUBLES: Five minutes.

SESSION II: Six singles matches. Two out of three singles with a match tiebreaker if the players split sets.

RULES: We will once again use the service let. The game scoring will be the traditional tennis method utilizing deuce and add. The match tiebreaker is first to 10 by two points, switching every six points. Individual tournaments can choose to play out the third sets. Dual matches will use this format.

WHY?

It is clear that we need a format which can fit into a three-hour time frame. We have looked at several ways in recent years to reduce the length of matches. The ITA has been instrumental in experimenting with various concepts for saving time and creating increased excitement. These include the four-and-one and five-and-one formats; the no-let rule; match tiebreakers; pro sets for double; and most recently the Collegiate Game Scoring System, which has been presented as an option this fall.

This method is an extension of no-add scoring, where the sudden death point is played on the second deuce. This system of scoring was tried at the ITA All-American Tournament, as well as most tournaments played in Region I this fall. It is clear that there is only a negligible difference in the time of matches.

Division I is presently using the no-let rule as another time saving measure, as well to cut down on the potential for cheating. It has not saved time, and the sacrifice to the tradition of the game is far too great in return for fewer opportunities to cheat. The no-let rule rewards mediocrity by allowing the player to fail on a serve, and yet win the point. The let was instituted long ago for sound reasoning and should remain a part of all aspects of the game of tennis.

These two potential changes take us far from the traditional method of scoring. Additionally, the time saved is insignificant and therefore more changes would have to be implemented to come into the three-hour mandate. Possible changes include playing four-game sets. There is a certain flow to the deuce/add method of scoring which is unique.

The traditions and nuances of tennis need to be respected in considering a format for college tennis. The College Tennis Match Format introduces only one change to the basic game of tennis, which is the match tiebreaker. The Nuveen Champions Tour has been using the match tiebreaker with a great deal of success. Former Grand Slam Champions Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Yannick Noah, Pat Cash, Andres Gomez, Guillermo Vilas, and Mats Wilander are currently playing for prize money utilizing this format. If two of the greatest American tennis champions of all time support this format, it can and will work for college tennis.

We are at a time when we need to bring all the divisions of tennis together under one format. Currently, there are four different college tennis scoring systems in use: 1) Division I (Division I men and women, and Division III men use the 3/6 format with doubles worth one point; 2) Division III women and Division II men and women use the 3/6 format with all matches worth a point; 3) NAIA uses the 6/3 format with all matches worth one point; 4) Junior College plays 6/3 with one point for each match and two out three sets in doubles.

Here is a complete list of the various methods of scoring matches:

Division I Men/Women:
Three doubles (1 point for winning two); six singles (1 point each) Total: 7 points

Division II Men/Women:
Three doubles (each match worth one point); six singles (1 point each) Total: 9 points

Division III Men:
Three doubles (1 point for winning two); six singles (1 point each) Total: 7 points

Division III Women:
Three doubles (each match worth one point); six singles (1 point each) Total: 9 points

NAIA Men/Women:
Six singles (1 point each); three doubles (one point each) Total: 9 points

Junior College Men/Women:
Six singles (1point each); three doubles (one point each) Total: 9 points

*Doubles is two out of three sets.

The variety of methods for scoring matches indicates the clear need for a system which all divisions can agree upon. The Collegiate Tennis Match Format would implement a system involving formats, which have all been thoroughly tested. Seven of the 10 divisions currently use nine-point scoring, which is being proposed. It is very exciting to have each of the doubles matches worth a point. Currently, when doubles is only worth one point, there is far too much lag time. If one team wins two matches, the third match finishes while fans are watching a meaningless match in terms of the team score. The period between the third match finishing, the five-minute break, as well as the lack of excitement early in a two out of three set singles match is where college tennis loses fans.

Doubles was traditionally worth 1/3 of the total points. With the implementation of the seven-point scoring system doubles has fallen to 1/7 of the overall points. Currently, in the ATP Champions Race there are 13 players with NCAA experience ranked in the top 15 in doubles and another three in the top 50. There are a total of 16 doubles players ranked in the top 50 as opposed to none in the singles. The College Tennis Match Format would have doubles as a larger priority once more as it should be.

This concept brings tremendous excitement to college tennis. The fans and teams are engrossed all the way through the doubles, as each point is crucial. The intensity of the doubles is followed by a five-minute break. The singles brings immediate energy to the match, as the first set is very important. Players are less likely to play a “loose” set knowing they can turn it on in the final set. The tiebreaker following a split set match creates even more climatic moments for players and fans.

Questions have been raised as to possibility for upsets with each pro set worth one point. I have talked with coaches who use this system and they have said it does not increase upsets. It creates much more emphasis on team play. Coaching sound fundamental doubles play would be very important once again. The concept of deciding a split set singles match with a 10-point tiebreaker also has raised questions. We have all agreed that we must reduce the length of matches to close to three hours. Coaches would like to accomplish this without changing the basic game of tennis.

The College Tennis Match Format brings the match time down to three hours with only one change to the game we love. The change is to play a tiebreaker for the third set in singles. This accomplishes the goal of reducing the match time to three hours, and will create incredible excitement. Increasing interest in our game and limiting the time have been the mandates. The concept of making sweeping changes including no-let and Collegiate Game Scoring are not necessary if we adopt this plan.

College tennis needs to remain true to the basic game of tennis, and at the same time create a more time-sensitive and exciting product. Junior tennis players will have a smooth transition to the college game, and upon graduating, our college seniors will go into professional tennis having competed under similar circumstances. The College Tennis Match Format will finally bring all divisions under the same umbrella to go forward and truly promote the wonderful game of college tennis as one.

Here is one coach’s response:

Dear Bob,

Having just read the proposed to new format for college tennis, I can’t help but laugh. Why are some people so hung up regarding the time of a college tennis match? The beauty of tennis is that there is No Clock. This coach should coach basketball instead.

Tennis is two out of three sets. The game cannot be changed so that coaches can go home early. Could you imagine a tiebreak deciding Wimbledon? The REAL COLLEGE coaches will totally be against this format. We even hate an 8-game pro set in doubles. There should be another division for teams that opt for this. Top juniors will never develop their potential with this type of format. Coaches stand up for our sport. You cannot shorten NCAA tennis any more.