US Open star Tiafoe requires main rule change in transfer away from custom
Frances Tiafoe has proposed a brand new rule in tennis that may enable followers out and in of matches whereas factors had been being performed. The world No 10 is among the residence hopes at this 12 months’s US Open, having reached the semi-final 12 months in the past. And he desires to see tennis “evolve”, abandoning conventional rules that decision for followers to be quiet.
Tiafoe received his US Open marketing campaign off to a profitable begin on Monday as he defeated countryman Learner Tien 6-2 7-5 6-1 to advance to the second spherical. It was the 25-year-old’s first time again on Arthur Ashe Stadium since contesting an exhilarating five-set semi-final towards Carlos Alcaraz final 12 months.
The three-time title winner grew to become one of many tales of the 2022 US Open as he defeated Rafael Nadal earlier than turning into the primary American man to succeed in a semi-final at his residence Grand Slam event in 16 years. Tiafoe lit up the principle present courtroom on the US Open and even had Michelle Obama coming to observe his matches.
A 12 months on, the world No 10 has referred to as for a shake-up within the guidelines so followers don’t have to attend for a changeover to have the ability to enter and exit the courtroom, lacking two to 3 video games value of tennis earlier than they will re-join a match. “The game needs to introduce fanfare and more fan engagement,” Tiafoe advised TIME.
“They need to be able to move around, talk a little bit. We need to evolve with the times. Otherwise we’re going to be left behind.” Currently, spectators should wait till the primary three video games of a match have been performed to enter and exit the stadium courts in the event that they fail to make a transfer earlier than play begins.
After that, changeovers happen each two video games. It makes it no straightforward feat to expire to seize some meals or drink, or to go to the bathroom. But Tiafoe’s calls would seemingly obtain pushback – particularly at tournaments like Wimbledon, the place custom is every thing.
But on the US Open, it might be a extra achievable change within the guidelines. And Tiafoe is aware of that the followers in Flushing Meadows are there to expertise a special sort of ambiance – one he loves to absorb.