Shortened Tennis Formats Like Tie Break Tens Draw Crowds at Indian Wells

Quick-play tennis formats are gaining popularity as alternatives to traditional matches, offering fans fast-paced action in packed stadiums. The Tie Break Tens format at Indian Wells drew large crowds this week, with matches decided by first-to-10-points tiebreakers.

Abbreviated tennis competitions are capturing audience attention as they provide rapid-fire entertainment that complements conventional tournament play, according to British tennis coach Jamie Delgado.

The mixed doubles opener at the combined ATP and WTA event in California’s desert drew capacity crowds this week, where Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina successfully retained their Eisenhower Cup championship and earned the $200,000 top prize.

Since its debut in 2015, the Tie Break Tens format operates on a simple concept: matches consist entirely of tiebreakers where competitors race to reach 10 points while maintaining a two-point advantage. Tennis superstars including Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal have all participated in these events.

This format’s popularity demonstrates a growing movement throughout tennis, with rapid-play variations like MGM Slam, Ultimate Tennis Showdown league, and Tennis Australia’s Fast4 and One Point Slam attracting increasing fan interest.

“Tie Break Tens was the first one, I think, of the fast-format tennis events and since then we’ve had a few creep in as well, but it’s a good thing,” said Delgado, who previously coached Andy Murray and currently works with Jack Draper.

“It’s not something that’s trying to replace traditional tennis, the long matches and normal scorelines. I love the way the sport works in that sense.

“But it’s a great addition to events.”

Fritz noted that spectators experienced continuous excitement while competitors fed off the growing atmosphere between contests.

“Every point matters,” Fritz explained. “It’s great to see the format growing, because it shows how tennis can keep evolving while staying true to what makes it great.”

The International Tennis Federation announced in September that Tie Break Tens would serve as its official abbreviated format partner, a designation that could potentially lead to Olympic inclusion alongside standard tennis competition.

“Our focus is on putting as many rackets in as many hands as possible,” stated Luca Santilli, who serves as executive director of tennis development at the ITF.

“We want more people to play tennis in more places, more often. We are open to exploring new ways to do that and this partnership with Tie Break Tens is an exciting step for us.”

Delgado emphasized that the format provides valuable benefits for players navigating demanding tournament schedules.

“It was a full stadium (this week). It’s totally like a match situation. So yes, it gets you ready for the big points,” he explained.

“It’s also getting players time on big match courts, because often in these tournaments, it’s difficult to get practice there with so many players. So this is a way of playing competitive tennis and you get practice on the court.”