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AELTC announces introduction of final set tie-break for The Championships 2019: https://t.co/r0uPDEABn5 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/PHsgliAwTF
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) October 19, 2018

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The rule applies to both men’s and women’s matches in singles, doubles and juniors. According to the Wimbledon website, the decision was “informed by a thorough review of match data from the past 20 Championships."

The changes are a welcome reaction to the tiebreak debate that was kicked off at Wimbledon this year thanks to 6 hour and 35 minute semifinal between Kevin Anderson and John Isner. Anderson eventually won 26-24 in the fifth set.

“I have said all along 12-all is good,” Isner told BBC Radio 5 last week. “That is sensible—you’re getting people who like the advantage and people who like tie-breaks. “It is bucking tradition but a lot of people believe that is not a bad thing.”

Many are on Isner's side, praising Wimbledon for the rule change:

Delighted to see Wimbledon's decision to introduce a final-set tiebreaker at 12-12, beginning in 2019. Long been an advocate of this. Strikes a good balance between preserving tradition & giving players a chance moving forward (and no one was breaking Isner-Mahut record anyway) pic.twitter.com/RxmIeJjIFj
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) October 19, 2018

Final set Tie Break @Wimbledon at 12-12. Fantastic move from the AELTC. @JohnIsner Congrats on the having the longest match of all time forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever.
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) October 19, 2018

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Final set tiebreak at 12-12

Well played @Wimbledon !!!
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) October 19, 2018

At Wimbledon, Anderson was very supportive of a deciding tiebreaker.

"I personally don't see the reason not to include it now at least at all the Slams," he said. " It's also tough being out there, listening to some of the crowd. Hopefully they appreciated the battle that we faced out there against each other, [Isner] and myself. But if you ask most of them, I'm sure they would have preferred to see a fifth-set tiebreaker, too.

"I don't see the other opposing view of not incorporating a fifth-set tiebreaker at all the Slams."

Some are still trying to extend the debate, and reduce the matches:

Not sure on decision @Wimbledon to have a tiebreaker at 12/12 in the 5th. This is better than the previous rule,but it is still an extra set after having played 5 sets.I would prefer a tiebreaker at 6/6 as the @usopen does.
— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) October 19, 2018

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More details on Wimbledon's decision to introduce a tiebreak at 12-12. Know of some players who believe it should be at 6-6, and I would concur. Don't see the point of playing another 12 games. US Open matches reach satisfactory conclusions. https://t.co/4l9ND2KJQN
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) October 19, 2018

The new rules mean that Isner and Nicolas Mahut will keep the record of longest match ever for their 2010 Wimbledon battle that lasted 11 hours and five minutes.

Never Forget! #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/2otFgzAw6Q
— Roger (@Butters360) October 19, 2018

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Isner and Anderson's semifinal this year is the second-longest Wimbledon match ever.

“The next match that gets to that, they should just say we will now play the Isner Rule,” Isner said. “I don’t think they are going to do that, but I think I’ve been a big driving force for it.”

Isner shares thoughts on new Wimbledon rules

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