New serve and warm-up clocks get good reviews

New serve and warmup clocks that debuted in ATP and WTA main draws this week received generally good reviews from players, although hurried warm-ups cut into music time for some.

The serve clock gives players 25 seconds to begin their service motion from the time the chair umpire announces the score.

The warm-up clock allows one minute from oncourt arrival to get to the net, five minutes for warming up and another minute to get ready to play. “It’s a positive change for tennis,” three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray said after his first-round match at the Washington Open.

“It’s one of those things in tennis that’s so stupid. How are you supposed to count 25 seconds in your head?”

While umpires have some discretion, the clock assures players and umpires are on the same wavelength when it comes to measuring the gap, with ball bouncing and gestures not counted as starting a serve motion. “It was great. I don’t feel any pressure,” said three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka. “You still have a lot of time and it’s good for the game. For sure you look (at the clock) but you’re always early compared to the umpire.”

The biggest complaints came from two 20-yearold rising stars, Japan’s Naomi Osaka and American Frances Tiafoe.

But it wasn’t about the serve clock. It was about one-minute countdown from walking out to getting to the net for the coin toss.