Matches that Changed Tennis

[Moxie]

As the Isner/Mahut match at Wimbledon 2010 was being remembered last week, I was thinking about matches that specifically led to rule changes, or otherwise changed tennis. My nominees, in reverse chronological order:

* Isner d. Mahut, Wimbledon 2010, 6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7–9), 7–6(7–3), 70–68. Was this what finally led to 5th set TBs in AO and Wimbledon?

* S. Williams v. Capriati, USO 2004, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. The line calling was so appallingly poor that most believe this is why we got Hawkeye.

* Petr Korda d. Shuzo Matsuoka, USO 1995. Matsuoka cramping and writhing in pain in front of the crowd and on TV led to the change in rules on MTOs.

Any other additions, or moments/matches that you think changed tennis?

 

[Vince Evert]

hows about 1977 Gerulaitis vs Borg semifinal at the Big W.

Dan Maskell who was the longtime commentator says during the match, "and people say that serve and volley tennis is not used today". Am gonna post this gem on another topic, MOX.

 

[kskate2]

What match led to original TB that happens at 6-6 all?

 

[Vince Evert]

The 1986 Steffi Graf vs Martina Navratilva U S Open semi-final . What a barnburner this became following the rain delay near the end of the first set ! Am very happy to have found it in its entirety.

Anyone here recall seeing this match ?

To me this one qualifies as it was the changing of the guard as Steffi would soon after dominate the women's game. Scroll to the point of the 1.43.00 if you only want to view the final set tiebreak.

 

[Vince Evert]

What match led to original TB that happens at 6-6 all?

Wimbledon in the year 1979. Prior to '79 tiebreaks was played at 8-8. So, you need to look at the men's and ladies singles draw from 1979 Wimbledon and find the answer. Hey ks kate, please check out the 1986 Graf-Navratilova barnburner when you get a chance to. It still holds up today ! Mark my words

 

[shawnbm]

Which Masters event that went five sets lead to the tour banishing them snd making the finals of Masters events best of three? 2006 Rome, after 2005 LIPTON in Miami?

 

[Moxie]

Which Masters event that went five sets lead to the tour banishing them snd making the finals of Masters events best of three? 2006 Rome, after 2005 LIPTON in Miami?

I never thought about the 2005 Miami having an influence, though it might have. Most directly, it was the 2006 Rome final, which went 5 long sets, and Hamburg was directly after, and both Federer and Nadal withdrew. That was a big hit to Hamburg. As you must remember, in 2006, Fedal were THE game and THE draws to both tickets and TV. I would have thought the 2006 Monte Carlo, which was also a Fedal duel and also went 5, that had a more direct effect than the 2005 Miami, but you could add them all in there. Basically, at that point, Roger and Rafa were contesting the finals of a lot of them, and there were some epics in there. It took until 2008 to make the finals best of 5, but it was the Rome 2006 that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

 

[Vince Evert]

I never thought about the 2005 Miami having an influence, though it might have. Most directly, it was the 2006 Rome final, which went 5 long sets, and Hamburg was directly after, and both Federer and Nadal withdrew. That was a big hit to Hamburg. As you must remember, in 2006, Fedal were THE game and THE draws to both tickets and TV. I would have thought the 2006 Monte Carlo, which was also a Fedal duel and also went 5, that had a more direct effect than the 2005 Miami, but you could add them all in there. Basically, at that point, Roger and Rafa were contesting the finals of a lot of them, and there were some epics in there. It took until 2008 to make the finals best of 5, but it was the Rome 2006 that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Great post Mox ! I agree. Except that the '06 Monte Carlo final was a 4 setter, Nadal defeated Federer, 6–2, 6–7, 6–3, 7–6. And it was the right decision by the ATP tour to change to best-of-three.