Serve and warm-up clocks making their ATP and WTA main draw debuts will be a positive for players, even routine-filled server Rafael Nadal, predicted the ATP Tour’s officiating head.
“There may be some bumps along the way but I think in the long run it’s going to be a positive for everybody,” ATP executive rules and competition vice-president Gayle Bradshaw said on Monday.
“I’m optimistic this is really going to be a big plus. I think there’s some anxiety because it’s new, but once they get out and try it they will be fine with it.”
The US Open tested the clocks in 2017 qualifying and announced plans to use them in main draw matches when this year’s Grand Slam event begins on August 27 on the New York hard courts.
The ATP, WTA and US Tennis Association agreed on a protocol that would allow the clocks to be used in pre-US Open events so players could better adjust to the change.
Bradshaw says players such as Nadal, who makes several adjustments before serving, or Novak Djokovic, who likes lots of ball bouncing, will adjust.
Players and fans both called for faster pace of play, said Bradshaw, who noted ATP directors would meet in New York to consider using the clocks tour-wide next year.
