Thiem on new rules in tennis: “I would definitely be for it”

Short sets or timed matches have been tested again and again for some time. However, none of these measures have yet been adopted on the ATP tour. Even the “no-ad” rule that has become common in doubles on the tour, i.e. the decision comes at the start of the game, does not yet apply in singles.

“I would definitely be for it. I think, apart from Grand Slams, where it’s a given, that the matches are just too long. I’ve seen it every week, too, so many matches last two and a half to three hours,” explained Thiem before his first appearance in Vienna against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Most recently in Antwerp he only finished after midnight twice. “With all the bells and whistles, I’m in bed by 4 a.m. I don’t think that’s particularly sustainable.”

There’s nothing wrong with trying out other formats every now and then, even on tour. “You shouldn’t be too rigid that you have to play the same rules in every tournament.”

• more on the subject: Dominic Thiem: “There was simply not enough this year”

The long matches recently had another reason. In the past few weeks there has been a lot of discussion about the different brands of balls, which either “rise” quickly, i.e. lose the felt, or are very heavy. Many players complained about pain in their hitting arm. The players also don’t like the fact that the ball selection is up to the tournaments and the brand is changed often.

Thiem sees it ambivalently. “On the one hand, of course, the appeal of the whole tour is that you have to adapt to new circumstances every week.” However, he also let out some criticism. “What I can say is that the quality of the balls has simply gotten worse in recent years, and everyone can feel that.” Many players have pain or problems. “When it comes to that, you have to start thinking about something.”

Sebastian Ofner also observed this. “Here in Vienna we play with Dunlop. They are great balls and most players are happy with them.” He can understand the criticism from his own experience; at first the Styrian didn’t really notice it. “I won’t say what brand of ball, but I always have problems with them in tournaments.”