In a world of instant gratification, many traditional sports formats seem outdated to the younger generation. The idea of waiting for five days for a Test cricket result, only for the match to end in a draw seems bizarre to say the least, resulting in the T20 format being widely adopted in international and domestic matches to generate interest in the sport. Similarly, a rugby union match lasts for at least 80 minutes but a sevens match consists of two halves of seven minutes with a two-minute halftime break. There are many other sports that have adapted to a shorter format so that games are more competitive, intense and provide instant results.
In this exclusive interview with SPOGO, Mark Milne, creator of Thirty30 (T30) Tennis speaks about how his format is different from the traditional way the sport is played, the inspiration behind creating a shorter format, his vision, overcoming challenges, future goals and more!
Q 1) As the creator of Thirty30 Tennis, what is the difference between this format and the traditional way tennis is played?
The distinguishing difference between Thirty30 ("thirty-thirty") tennis and traditional tennis is that matches are shorter and faster-paced, making the tennis more fun and more exciting.
The game score ticks over much more quickly. One set is completed in no longer than 20 minutes, with a best-of-3 sets match completed in 40-60 minutes and a best-of-5 in 60-90 minutes.
In Thirty30 tennis, everything is identical to traditional tennis except:
(1) Every "SHORT GAME" starts from 30-30 (announced "thirty-thirty" – the clue is in the name!) instead of 0-0.
(2) A 9-point tie-break (i.e. first to 5 points with sudden death at 4-4) is played at 6 games all in a set.
(3) In a set, the change of ends is after the first two games and then every four after that.
All very simple!
Q 2) Why did you feel the need to create a shorter format of the sport? Do you believe it’s a format that will garner appeal amongst the younger audience who prefer more action packed sporting events?
The tennis authorities have recognised for a number of years that matches have been lasting too long to attract the younger generation who are looking for more excitement in today's faster paced society.
Many sports have also recognised this and have created their own alternative shorter faster-paced formats, e.g. racket sports similar to tennis like squash, badminton and table tennis have all changed their scoring methods in an effort to evolve.
Others include: Cricket (Twenty20/T20, T10, The Hundred), Golf (Golf Sixes), Netball (Fast5), Tennis (Fast4 and Tie Break Tens), Rugby (Sevens), Basketball (3×3), Athletics (Nitro).
Various alternative shorter scoring formats are currently being used and trialled in tennis:
(1) Tennis Australia's Fast4 – sets are played to 4 games with a tie-break at 3-3 and sudden-death points played at deuce. Fast4 has led to the following Rules being included in Appendix V (Alternative Scoring Methods) of the ITF Rules of Tennis: 'Sets to 4 Games', 'No Ad' and 'No Let'.
(2) The use of the match deciding 3rd set Match Tie Break to 10 points, e.g. Laver Cup, ATP Cup, ATP & WTA Doubles Events, etc.
(3) The use of the 'No Ad' Rule, e.g. ATP & WTA Doubles Events, etc.
(4) Patrick Moroutoglou's Ultimate Tennis Showdown's four 8 minute timed quarters using tie breaks like scoring and use of 'playing cards'.
Thirty30 (or T30) tennis is an alternative shorter scoring format to the formats listed above and in my opinion is the Rolls Royce of shorter scoring methods as Thirty30 tennis maintains the DNA of traditional tennis and match results look identical.
Everything about Thirty30 tennis still FEELS, LOOKS and SOUNDS like traditional tennis and EVERY Point REALLY Counts!
Q 3) What is your vision for Thirty30 Tennis? Is this meant to be a recreational format of tennis or do you envision it to be adopted professionally as well?
My vision for Thirty30 tennis is to see it used all over the world as an alternative shorter scoring method, played socially and competitively by recreational players and played competitively by professional players.
Q 4) What are some of the challenges that you have faced in introducing the Thirty30 Tennis format? How did you overcome them?
Tennis is just a hobby for me and I have a great passion for it. I am a Mechanical Design Engineer with over 30 years experience working in both the Steel and Oil & Gas Industries in Scotland and finding enough time to spend on promoting Thirty30 tennis has been the hardest thing about launching Thirty30 tennis. Currently I am spending almost 100% of my spare time working on it.
A lot of tennis people are risk averse and unwilling to accept change in the sport.
People fundamentally don’t like change and it is very difficult to get people to accept change in any walk of life, never mind tennis.
However I am convinced that tennis has to adapt and evolve in order to stay successful and this drives me and the project forward.
Q 5) Do you have plans to expand the Thirty30 Tennis format to other countries?
Thirty30 tennis is already being played all over the world. I have received almost 300 Testimonials endorsing the format, as illustrated on the attached "Google Maps" file.
Q 6) As the creator of Thirty30 Tennis, what are your future goals and objectives with regards to this format? How do you plan to achieve them?
Our goals and objectives are to create for tennis what the IPL Cricket has done for cricket. We are going to be the T30 of tennis, and we are doing it on a global basis. We are doing this in two structures. Physical Competitions and Virtual Reality. For Virtual Reality we are in a joint venture with VRML Tennis Esports. Whatever we create for the physical will be done in virtual on the VRML platform.
We have created a unique and highly innovative global competition model, using the Thirty30 Tennis scoring format, and a very similar structural IPL as a model.
The competitions will have a unique and innovative structural model.
They will have a pyramid structure with Top Professional Teams at the top going to Inter Continental, Country, City, and Club. There will be Junior and Adult identical models.
The competition structure will be Mixed Gender based teams in a League and knockout format. We will add a wheelchair component as well.
There will be very substantial prize money in all competitions.
We also want to introduce a unique and innovative ownership model whereby the players will be able to have a significant role in the running of the whole concept which we have called T30TI to be known in the future as T30.
There will also be a significant role for coaches, and the introduction of The Martial Art Way of Tennis, that will not only create a whole paradigm shift in the game, but will take the game both long and short into a whole new dimension, and will give coaches and teachers an opportunity to create a whole new meaning and understanding to coaching life and business.
We want to unlock the game at all levels, especially from the junior level. We want it to be affordable and believe the children are our future and they get the necessary skills to be that future whether that be in the Thirty30 format or the traditional game, and also give skills for life.
The IPL cricket concept has done more for that sport than in any other sport, we want to bring that opportunity to tennis, and let it be shared with all who would like to participate in a positive way to create a better and more equitable sport set against the highest ethical and moral standards.
