Frances Tiafoe has proposed a new rule in tennis that would allow fans in and out of matches while points were being played. The world No 10 is one of the home hopes at this year’s US Open, having reached the semi-final 12 months ago. And he wants to see tennis “evolve”, leaving behind traditional regulations that call for fans to be quiet.
Tiafoe got his US Open campaign off to a winning start on Monday as he defeated countryman Learner Tien 6-2 7-5 6-1 to advance to the second round. It was the 25-year-old’s first time back on Arthur Ashe Stadium since contesting a thrilling five-set semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz last year.
The three-time title winner became one of the stories of the 2022 US Open as he defeated Rafael Nadal before becoming the first American man to reach a semi-final at his home Grand Slam tournament in 16 years. Tiafoe lit up the main show court at the US Open and even had Michelle Obama coming to watch his matches.
A year on, the world No 10 has called for a shake-up in the rules so fans don’t have to wait for a changeover to be able to enter and exit the court, missing two to three games worth of tennis before they can re-join a match. “The game needs to introduce fanfare and more fan engagement,” Tiafoe told TIME.
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“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 must wait until the first three games of a match have been played to enter and exit the stadium courts if they fail to make a move before play starts.
After that, changeovers occur every two games. It makes it no easy feat to run out to grab some food or drink, or to go to the toilet. But Tiafoe’s calls would likely receive pushback – especially at tournaments like Wimbledon, where tradition is everything.
But at the US Open, it could be a more achievable change in the rules. And Tiafoe knows that the fans in Flushing Meadows are there to experience a different kind of atmosphere – one he loves to soak up.
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He added: “New Yorkers love great entertainment Everyone is tapped into tennis. The energy is second to none. Some people are made for it. Some people aren’t. I feel like I can make that stadium shake.”
And Tiafoe will be hoping to make the stadium shake when he takes on Sebastian Ofner in the second round on Wednesday. The American No 2 is in the bottom half of the draw alongside the likes of Novak Djokovic and last year’s runner-up Casper Ruud. He could face the latter in the round of 16, while a showdown with Djokovic would only be possible in the semi-final.
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