Tennis is not just for seniors! Will fans be interested in these changes?

The average tennis fan is sixty years old. How to get the younger generation excited about it? In these dynamic times, the rules of tennis are virtually unchanged. Do the rules used in the UTS competition inspire a revival of the system? Who is promoting it and will it become a competition of the ATP?

A sport for the elderly?

Although tennis is one of the most popular sports, it is losing out in one area. It does not enjoy huge popularity among young people. After all, the average tennis fan is over sixty years old.

Can a sport with very traditional and unchanging rules ever appeal to a younger audience? Moreover, in today’s dynamic times with so many leisure options. These questions gave rise to the UTS competition. Let’s get to know it better.

Ultimate Tennis Showdown

The UTS (Ultimate Tennis Showdown) competition was born out of the impulse to engage the upcoming generations and attract more young enthusiasts to the white sport. Especially with speed and dynamism.

Unlike traditional matches, there are no games or sets. The matches are designed to be fast-paced and are therefore played on time.

The individual parts of the game last only eight minutes. Whoever wins the majority of the four parts wins the match. In the event of a tie, sudden death decides. Get two balls in a row and the match is yours.

The quarters are more like a tiebreaker than a traditional set. Players also have the option of using a bonus card, the use of which means the possibility of tripling points for the following exchange.

The author of the project and his goals

The creator of UTS is Patrick Mouratoglou. French tennis coach and expert. Tennis is the love of his life and he would like to increase its popularity.

The white sport as he sees it is to remain tennis, but to be more action-packed. And he doesn’t take criticism lightly. What kind of tennis will be more successful in the future is simply to be decided by popularity.

But the whole project is not intended to replace the ATP tour, even in the wildest imaginings. Players can compete in both systems at the same time. For the time being, the younger one remains more of a complement.

By the way, there was solid competition this year from Brit Draper. Let’s see how the number 61 player in the ATP rankings will carry his form into the upcoming season.

Finally ..

The attempt to reform a sport as conservative as tennis is very brave. We certainly wouldn’t bet on any sweeping changes, at least in the near term.

On the other hand, it is traditionally the final parts of the sets that bring the most excitement. And the shortened games are the highlight of each set. At this point, Mouratoglou‘s changes are definitely heading in a good direction.

Source: The Guardian, X