Coman Tiebreak

When is the Coman tiebreak rotation used?
In a 7-point set tiebreak (1st to 7, win by 2) at 6-6 in a set and in a 10-point match tie break (1st to 10 win by 2).

The Coman Tiebreak Procedure will be used at all USTA League Tennis Sectional and National Championships for all set and match tiebreaks. We will be using the Coman Tiebreak Rotation for all USTA League matches starting immediately.

How does it work?
When do the players change sides during a tiebreak? The Coman tiebreak rotation is identical to the regular procedure except that the players change ends after the first point, then after every four points (1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, etc…), and at the conclusion of the tiebreak.

Principal Advantages
Fairness – By changing ends more frequently, the effects of the elements (sun, wind, etc.) are distributed more evenly between the two opponents as opposed to playing six consecutive points before changing ends.  In doubles, the server will always serve from the same end of the court, rather than having to serve from both ends.

Do we switch sides to start?
Yes, if the previous set score was ODD or the previous set ended in a Tiebreak.

Who serves first?
The player or team who would serve next in the rotation. If the previous set ended in a tiebreak then the player/team that received first in the tiebreak will serve first in the new set. In a doubles match, either player on the team can serve first (the 3rd Set Tiebreak is treated like a new set).

How do we serve?
On the first service point, the server serves just one point and serves from the Deuce side of the court. All successive servers serve two points serving their first point from the Ad side of the court and their second from the Deuce side.