Doubles trial at Queen's Club: Less time between points, 'time extensions' & more

The first tournament that participated in the 2024 ATP Doubles Trial was the Mutua Madrid Open. Now, the Cinch Championships at Queen’s Club will trial a set of changes — with some new tweaks — during next week’s ATP 500 event.

By trialing more changes, the ATP continues to innovate, with foci including in-match time reduction and creating an elevated on-site fan experience.

Changes at Queen’s Club will include less time between points, adjustments to time allowances during changeovers, the use of “time extensions” and more.

Tournament director Jamie Murray, the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, said: “I’m excited to see the ATP continue to try to test ways to figure out things to try to improve the doubles product and unlock more value for all the different stakeholders: players, fans, tournaments, streaming, TV and broadcasters. We were excited to be a part of that and hopefully, it’s a positive experience for the players and fans that are coming to watch it at Queen’s this week.”

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There will be 18 seconds between all points (15+3) and 60-second changeovers with time called after 40 seconds. Each team may request one time extension per set to discuss tactics.

Select doubles matches at the Cinch Championships will be played in the evening to encourage fans to visit the tournament to watch doubles after work. There will also be a doubles-only court.

Like in Madrid, there will be free crowd movement and fan engagement is encouraged.

“Doubles should be marketed as nonstop action and I think reducing a lot of the dead time will improve the product, hopefully a lot,” Murray said. “It’s a good thing going forward.”

The tournament will use standard entry procedures for the doubles draw. However, doubles matches will begin on Wednesday (qualifying to start on Monday). Singles teams will be paired against doubles teams in the first round whenever possible.

Further trials will take place across all categories at events including Gstaad, Hamburg, Kitzbühel, Newport, Toronto, Washington and Winston-Salem.

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