NEW RULES, BIGGER WIMBLEDON AND ADVANTAGE MOTHERS

THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN WILL USE THE FIRSTTO-10 TIEBREAK format in deciding sets from 2019, and it was confirmed by the tournament that the system will be used to decide matches locked at 6-6 in the deciding set. Earlier this year, Wimbledon changed its own rules for tiebreakers and the Australian Open’s decision means all four Grand Slam tournaments now have different criteria. The French Open will continue with advantage final sets, the US Open is a tiebreak to seven at 6-6 while Wimbledon will have a breaker to seven from 12-12 in 2019.

In another big announcement, the Women’s Tennis Association will offer greater protection to the rankings of mothers returning to the tour after giving birth, according to British media. Players returning from maternity leave or injury will now be able to use their previous ranking to enter 12 tournaments over a threeyear period.

Also, Wimbledon is set for an expansion after the neighbouring golf club in London voted to sell its land. The All England Lawn Tennis Club made an offer of £65 million ($82 million), to buy Wimbledon Park Golf Club’s land in a move that would see its estate roughly triple in size.