LONDON – Tennis fans may soon enjoy greater freedom of movement during ATP Tour events, thanks to a successful trial aimed at improving the spectator experience. The ATP and WTA Tours have relaxed strict rules regarding fan movement, a change that has been well-received since it began earlier this summer.
The trial permits fans to access their seats before changeovers during the first five games of each match, with the exception of areas immediately behind the players. According to the ATP, this adjustment has garnered “positive feedback” from attendees.
“This trial, which runs until the end of the year, seeks to enhance the fan experience without disturbing the match’s rhythm or player concentration,” stated Ross Hutchins, ATP Chief Sporting Officer. He added that fans are welcome to enter the stadium after each of the first five games in every set, apart from the baselines, and a review will follow to evaluate its impact.
Previously, spectators wishing to buy refreshments or take a bathroom break typically missed a significant portion of play as they waited for the next changeover to return to their seats. The rigid rules regarding fan movement in tennis have frustrated many, especially since players are accustomed to competing in boisterous environments, such as during Davis Cup matches and at the U.S. Open, where pleas for silence from umpires are often overlooked.
This year’s U.S. Open took this concept further by allowing fans in specific sections of all courts to move freely, even during active points in the match. Most players who were asked about this change indicated that the movement of fans did not disrupt their focus.
“I noticed it, but once the point starts, I don’t pay attention to it,” said rising American star Ben Shelton. He remarked that his experience in college and other competitive settings prepared him for the distractions of fans moving around during matches.