Fast 4 Tennis is an innovative tennis format launched by Tennis Australia designed to streamline the game and enhance enjoyment for players.
Since its inception, Fast 4 Tennis has gained substantial popularity throughout Australia and is now embraced by tennis enthusiasts in nations like Canada, the UK, and the USA.
Fast 4 Tennis Rules
Fast 4 Tennis adheres to the traditional rules of tennis, with some exciting modifications:
- Sets are played to 4 games instead of the usual 6.
- A simplified scoring system uses 1, 2, 3 rather than 15, 30, 40.
- No let calls: If your serve hits the net and lands in the box, play continues without interruption.
- No advantage at deuce: At 3-all, the next point decides the game.
- Tie breaks occur at 3-3, not 6-6.
- The tie break is first to 5 points, with a decisive point at 4-4.
Understanding a Fast 4 Set
A Fast 4 Set is a sprint to see who can clinch 4 games first.
The first player to reach 4 games wins the set, significantly speeding up the match compared to traditional tennis.
In the event of a tie at 3-3, players engage in a five-point tie break, with the winner claiming the set 4-3.
If the tie break reaches 4-4, a single deciding point is played to determine the set winner.
How to Play a Tie Break in Fast 4
Fast 4 tie breaks differ from regular ones by being a contest to 5 points rather than 7 or 10.
Players alternate serves, starting with two serves each. The order of serve can be decided by a coin toss or racket draw.
If the score ties at 4 points, the match moves to a sudden death point, where the winner takes the tie break 5-4 and the set 4-3.
What is a Short Deuce in Fast 4 Tennis?
A short deuce occurs at 3-3 in points, with a sudden death point determining the game winner.
Fast 4 Tennis Match Structures
One Set
This format consists of a single Set and is optimal for players looking to maximize the number of matches played.
Best of Two Sets
This frequently used format features two Sets, adding a tie break if the score is 1 set each.
Best of Three Sets
The best of three format is less common due to its longer duration but has been featured in tournaments such as the Hopman Cup – check out the highlights below from a thrilling mixed doubles match between Roger Federer/Belinda Bencic and Serena Williams at the 2019 Hopman Cup.
