Innovations and rules of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF 2024 | ATP Tour

Next Gen ATP Finals

Innovations and rules of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF 2024

Free mobility of fans, shorter warm-ups and absence of lets are some of the new features and rules

December 04, 2024

The seventh edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF takes place later this month, bringing together the top eight under-20 players in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The ATP announced this Wednesday the innovations and rules for this edition of the tournament in 2024, which will take place from December 18 to 22.

The tournament, created to promote younger talent, continues to evolve. Some of the new features and rules are designed to improve the fluidity of the game, including reduced warm-ups, no let, while other innovations include free movement of the public and match analysis for coaches. .

Here’s what awaits in Jeddah in 2024:

MARKER:
– First to reach four games, best of five sets: Each match will be the best of five sets with tie-break. Each set will be decided by the first to reach four games with a margin of two ahead and with a tie-break (seven points with two ahead) if it reaches 3-3. Each game will be decided in a no-advantage format, with the server choosing the side.

CHANGES:
– There will be no change of sides at the end of the first game.

– Players will switch sides and sit for 90 seconds, after the first three games, once again if the score reaches 3-2 (i.e. after two more games in the set), and then again at the end of the set (regardless of the score).

– Players will change sides after every six points in the tie-break.

– Players will sit at the end of the set for 90 seconds, instead of 120 seconds.

NEW RULES:

– Warm-up: Players will have a 3-minute warm-up on the court.
– Ball change: After every seven games.

– Service clock: Eight seconds will be allowed between the first and second service. There will be a serve clock that counts the time between the first and second serve.

– Time between points: Conserving the 2023 initiative, the time between points will be reduced from 25 to 15 seconds if the point is less than three hits (i.e.: 2 hits = 15 seconds; 3 hits = 25 seconds).

– There is no let: The game continues if the ball touches the net tape on the serve, as long as it falls within the correct service box.

– Free movement of fans: Fans will be allowed free movement in the stadium in the first three games of the match. After those first three games, fans will be able to move freely except in limited areas behind the baseline in view of the players.

– The movement of a spectator in the designated free movement areas will not stop the service clock.

– Chair Umpire: The height of the judge’s chair is lowered to reduce the visual impact for the fans present in the stands.

INNOVATIONS:

– Scoreboards: Simplified graphics will be displayed in the stadium to improve the experience for fans, with the aim of educating the younger audience attending the tournament.

INITIATIVES IN PLAYER PERFORMANCE:
– Devices: Players will wear devices in matches. These ‘wearables’ (data devices) will be synthesized and visualized, so that players can have a global view of their physical performance and their response to stress in matches.

– Analysis during the match: The Tennis IQ match data platform will be available to coaches sitting on the court, as well as video images with match data will be available at the end of the match. New data will also be displayed in the stadium.

Check all the rules here