In an attempt to speed up the game, tennis officials plan to try a 15-second shot clock during the Madrid doubles competition.
To shorten dead time in matches, an array of trial rule changes are reportedly scheduled to be presented for approval at the ATP Council this week. Following their approval, the modifications will be put to the test during the men’s doubles competition at the Madrid Masters, which begins on April 22.
If this most recent trial is accepted, doubles players in Madrid will only have fifteen seconds to begin the next point when their previous rally lasted three strokes or less. The current 25-second shot clock will start to run on longer rallies.
There have been previous ATP events where the 15-second shot rule was implemented, most notably the Next Gen Finals in Saudi Arabia last year
In addition, instead of the customary 90-second break every two games, doubles players will not be permitted to “sit down” throughout the first set of the match in the new trial. Rather, players will have a time limit to change ends and begin the next game. On the other hand, it has also been suggested to take a longer break to make up for the first set.
Tennis officials are well aware of the impact on broadcasters as men’s singles match lengths have increased by almost 25% in the past 20 years.
NEW: Players have been told of ATP rule change proposals that are set to be tested in the doubles draw in Madrid.
– 15-second shot clock in >3-shot rallies
– No sit-downs in the first set
– Revamped entry system to suit singles players better👇More👇https://t.co/x0tD8gyzEr
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) April 2, 2024
Jannik Sinner in 2024
WWWLWWWWWW Now ranked no.2 (career-high), Jannik played his last match on the 31st of March when he defeated world no.9 Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 6-1 in the final in Miami to win his 14th career title.
Currently, during this season the Italian has achieved an overall 22-1 match record. The Italian conquered 2 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open and Rotterdam.
Sinner is scheduled to compete next in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (Monte–Carlo). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 7th of April.
Daniil Medvedev in 2024
LWWWLWLWWW Ranked no.4, the Russian played his last match on the 29th of March when he surrendered to world no.2 Jannik Sinner 6-1 6-2 in the semifinal in Miami (draw).
This season Daniil has managed to achieve a 18-4 match record. Daniil Medvedev’s most significant result of the year was reaching the final at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
Medvedev has scheduled to play next in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (Monte–Carlo). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 7th of April.
Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev played each other 11 times. The head to head is 6-5 for Medvedev. The last time they competed against each other, Jannik Sinner won 6-1 6-2 in the semifinal in Miami (Miami Open) on the 29th of March 2024.
Here the video highlights.
Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev |
| Embed from Getty Images |
