Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/215727

Title

Alternative fifth set scoring systems

Author(s)

Pollard, Graham;  Pollard, Geoff

Abstract

Under the rules of tennis, the final deciding set can be either an advantage set or a tiebreak set as predetermined by the event organizers. Both approaches are used. The tiebreak brings a close match to a conclusion, but can be criticized, as it does not require a break of service to win the match. The advantage set has the potential to extend the match beyond reasonable limits as witnessed at the 2010 Wimbledon (score 70-68). Although creating worldwide interest, this match lacked the sports principle that play should be continuous and not played in separate segments over a number of days. It also risked player injury, left the winner unable to perform in the next round, and would have damaged television coverage if it had been a final. In this paper, we study the distribution of the additional number of games in an advantage set given that it has reached 6-6. Constructive solutions to this potential problem are outlined.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology

Source

Journal of Medicine and Science in Tennis, Vol. 16, no. 2 (2011), pp. 25-33

Publication year

2011

FOR Code(s)

010401 Applied Statistics;  010404 Probability Theory

Keyword(s)

50-40 game;  Advantage game;  Advantage set;  No ad game;  Skewness of tennis scoring systems;  Tiebreak game;  Tiebreak set

Publisher

Society for Tennis Medicine and Science

ISSN

1567-2352

Publisher URL

http://www.stms.nl/

Copyright

Copyright © 2011 Society of Tennis Medicine and Science. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the copyright holder.

Peer reviewed