A men’s match at the Australian Open can reach a fifth set, but it cannot stretch on through game after game indefinitely. At 6–6, the players settle the set with a 10-point tiebreak: the first to 10 points wins, provided they lead by at least two.
The Australian Open fifth-set rule
In men’s singles, the Australian Open is played as a best-of-five-sets match. If the score reaches two sets all, the fifth set decides the match. Players continue playing regular games until the set score is 6–6. At that point, they play a final-set tiebreak, sometimes called a 10-point match tiebreak.
- When it starts: At 6–6 in the fifth set.
- How many points to win: At least 10, with a lead of two points.
- What happens at 9–9: Play continues until one player leads by two, such as 11–9 or 15–13.
- Set result: The tiebreak winner takes the set 7–6 and wins the match.
So if the fifth set reaches 6–6 and one player wins the tiebreak 10–8, the final set is recorded as 7–6. If the tiebreak reaches 9–9, neither player has won yet: the next two points could decide it, or the contest could go much longer.
How the final-set tiebreak works
The tiebreak uses a different serving pattern from ordinary games. The player whose turn it is to serve starts with one point, serving from the deuce court. The other player then serves two points, followed by two points from the first player, and the pattern continues until the tiebreak ends.
Players change ends after every six points have been played. That means the switch happens at 3–3, 6–6, 9–9 and so on. The change of ends gives both players time on each side of the court, which can matter in Melbourne’s heat, wind or bright afternoon sun.
A 10-point tiebreak is not “first to 10 no matter what.” A player must win by two clear points. At 10–9, the player on 10 is still one point short of victory; winning the next point makes it 11–9 and ends the match. If the opponent wins it instead, the score is 10–10 and play carries on.
How it differs from an ordinary set tiebreak
In most sets, a 6–6 score leads to a shorter tiebreak, usually played to seven points with a two-point margin. The Australian Open uses the longer, 10-point version only to decide a match’s final set. That extra distance gives a player more room to recover from a poor start, but it can also make the last stretch intensely demanding.
At 6–5 in the fifth, there is no tiebreak yet. The player leading 6–5 must win the next game to take the set 7–5. If the other player holds serve, the score becomes 6–6 and the tiebreak begins. A player therefore cannot win the fifth set 7–6 by winning one ordinary game after 6–6; the remaining points are all part of the tiebreak.
Why the rule changed
Before 2019, the Australian Open’s final set had no tiebreak. After 6–6, players had to keep playing games until one led by two, so a set could finish 8–6, 12–10 or later. That format could produce gripping finishes, but it also made match length difficult to predict and put a heavy physical load on players.
The change followed years of discussion about marathon matches and player welfare. The 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, for example, lasted nearly six hours and ended with Djokovic winning the fifth set 7–5. It was a remarkable contest, but it also showed how punishing a long match could become. The Australian Open introduced its 10-point final-set tiebreak in 2019. In 2022, the Grand Slam tournaments aligned their rules around a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the deciding set.
What the rule means for players
The tiebreak changes the tactics because a single point can immediately create or erase a mini-break. Players often look to make their first serve count, since a free point or a weak return can be especially valuable in a short scoring sequence. On return, the aim is usually to put the ball in play with enough depth to avoid giving away an easy attack.
Still, one missed return does not decide everything. The 10-point format is longer than a standard seven-point breaker, and the two-point margin leaves room for momentum swings. A player who falls behind early can get back level with a strong return game or a couple of well-chosen aggressive shots. The challenge is to stay composed rather than treat every point as the last one.
For spectators, remember that the game score stops at 6–6, but the match does not. Follow the tiebreak points separately: at 9–9, for instance, the next player to win two points in a row takes the match, while a split leaves the score level again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Australian Open fifth set go to 10 points?
It goes to a tiebreak when the set reaches 6–6. The winner needs at least 10 points and a two-point lead, so the tiebreak can continue past 10.
Can a player win the tiebreak 10–9?
No. The winner must lead by two points. A 10–9 score means the tiebreak continues; 11–9 would end it.
Do women play a fifth set at the Australian Open?
No. Women’s singles matches are best of three sets, so they can have a deciding third set, not a fifth. That final set also uses a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6.
Is the Australian Open rule different from the other Grand Slams?
Since 2022, all four Grand Slam tournaments have used a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the deciding set. The earlier Australian Open rule was distinctive because it introduced that format in 2019.
Final Thoughts
The key rule is straightforward: at 6–6 in the fifth set, the Australian Open uses a 10-point tiebreak, won by two. It replaces the old advantage-set finish, so players no longer have to keep winning games until someone leads by two. The match can still deliver a tense, extended finish—but the deciding points are played in a tiebreak.
