The Next Gen final in Milan is played with a completely revolutionary format that features the following innovations

– No line judges. All lines called using Hawk-Eye Live

– Best of five sets, but first to four games in each set (Tiebreak at three-games-all)

– Sudden-death deuce points. On the sudden death point, the server chooses which side to serve from, not the receiver like in doubles or other minor competitions

– No service lets

– Each match starts 5 minutes from entry of the second player onto court

– A shot clock ensures 25-second rule between points

– Maximum 1 medical timeout per player per match

– Coaches may communicate with players via headsets in between each set

– Fans will be allowed to move around during a match (except at baselines)

– Singles-only court – no double lines on court

– Players have access to match stats via a tablet after each set.

This is a long list, and according to the first impressions of the tennis players the innovations that they would like to bring in are:

1- the shot clock;

2- the coaching;

3- the Hawk-Eye Live.

Here some impressions

Medvedev

The Russian has defeated his compatriot Khachanov in the opening match to comment

“I think it was talked a lot about in last years that there is the time violation rule gets stricter on tour, so I guess the shot clock will be something I think, in my opinion, that will be first added to ATP Tour. Maybe even soon, I guess. I’m not sure. I’m not the one who makes the rules.

It’s actually a little bit strange [that there is no coachin]. I think tennis is maybe only sport to not have coaching, which I see, in my opinion, is not really, not fair, but is not right. I mean, you work with your coach all year long. So why cannot he tell you something during the game?

So, when I put the headphones on me, I didn’t have anything to say about myself. I just wanted to listen to him and what he says. He gave me some advice, and finally, I won, so I guess he made a good job.”

Zverev

Sascha has decided not to compete in the competition as he has qualified for the “proper” ATP Finals. However, the world no.3 has agreed to play an exhibition match with the new rules with Stefanos Tsitsipas. At the end of the match, he commented

“[It was fine] but when you try to play seriously and when you will be at a tournament playing semi-finals or finals, most of the rules will be tough to handle. I think the shot clock is a good thing. The Hawk-Eye calling all the lines, I like that, but a lot of the other things I’m not sure are going to happen.”

Khachanov… an interesting observation

Karen liked a lot the Hawk-Eye Live ad he added an interesting observation

“I think for now live Hawk-Eye is a good thing. Only thing is I would like to hear a different voice. I think it’s better that all umpires record their voices and each match that he played, it’s an umpire that is on the chair. I think it would be better like this.”

Interesting points… let’s see how it goes.