Thirty30 Tennis: What Is the New Fast-Paced Tennis Format and How Does It Work?

Question 1 : What was the original problem or gap in traditional tennis that led you to create Thirty30?

 

The main problem was time: traditional tennis matches often couldn’t be completed within a typical one-hour court booking. I wanted a faster format that still felt like traditional tennis and that lead to trying starting every game from 30-all, i.e. 30–30.

 

Thirty30 is not only applicable solely to tennis, but is equally applicable to padel and pickleball.

 

Question 2 : Why did you feel tennis needed a format similar to what T20 did for cricket?

I felt tennis needed a T20-style format because traditional matches could be too long and difficult to fit into modern schedules. I wanted something shorter, faster and more exciting, while still feeling like real tennis. My experience with struggling to finish matches within a one-hour court booking helped inspire Thirty30 (T30).

I also saw how T20 had made cricket more accessible and entertaining, particularly for spectators, TV / streaming audiences and younger fans, and believed tennis could benefit in the same way.

 

 

Question 3

 

For someone hearing about Thirty30 for the first time, how would you explain the format in the simplest possible way?

 

The simplest way to explain Thirty30 is:

 

“It’s just like normal tennis, except every ‘short’ game starts at 30–30, announced ‘thirty-thirty’ – “Thirty30” – the clue is in the name! And at the third deuce a sudden-death deciding point is played to remove the possibility of deuce / advantage games going on forever.”

 

So you play normal points, games and sets, but starting at 30–30 makes the games much shorter. A set generally takes no more than about 20 minutes, while still feeling, looking and sounding like traditional tennis.

 

In other words: traditional tennis, but shorter, faster and where every point really counts.

 

The scoring goes:

“thirty-thirty”,

“forty-thirty” or “thirty-forty”,

“deuce one”,

“advantage one”,

“deuce two”,

“advantage two”,

“deuce three – deciding point”,

“game”.

 

Question 4

 

Starting every game at 30-all fundamentally changes the pressure points. How does this alter the psychology and strategy of a match?

 

Starting every game at 30-all makes each game feel much more like a mini tie-break: there is almost no room for a slow start.

 

Pressure rises immediately: The first couple of points have disproportionate importance because losing them loses you a game straight away.

 

Fewer “free” points: In normal tennis, early points can be used to settle in. Thirty30 rewards players who are mentally switched on from the first ball.

 

Holding serve is harder because a single loose point can quickly create break-point pressure.

 

Risk vs. Consistency shifts: Players may be tempted to attack earlier, but reckless aggression is costly. The best approach is often high-percentage aggression – take initiative without giving away cheap points.

 

Momentum is compressed: A player who wins the first point has a psychological advantage, while the opponent can feel pressure almost immediately.

 

Mental resilience matters more: There is less time to recover from mistakes, so players need to reset quickly rather than dwelling on individual points.

 

Overall, Thirty30 magnifies the importance of concentration, starts and clutch play. It rewards players who can handle pressure immediately rather than gradually building into a game.

 

Question 5

 

Why was the decision made to introduce a sudden-death deciding “Star Point” at the third deuce?

 

The decision was essentially a compromise between traditional tennis scoring and the need to prevent matches dragging on.

 

I introduced the “Star Point” after the third deuce so players still get several opportunities to win through normal deuce–advantage play, preserving the feel and fairness of traditional scoring, but there is ultimately a hard limit on a game’s length. In Thirty30, a game can therefore last a maximum of seven points.

 

The “Star Point System” was initially introduced by the International Padel Federation (FIP) at the start of their 2026 Season to try and reduce the length of matches and to help protect the welfare of the players.

 

My broader motivation was to make racket sports faster, more dynamic and predictable, partly because I had experienced matches overrunning booked court time. I also wanted to avoid the abruptness of the immediate sudden-death deciding “Golden Point” played at the first deuce.

 

So, in short: three deuces gives players enough opportunities to establish superiority, while the Star Point guarantees the game cannot go on indefinitely.

 

Question 6

 

How much shorter can a typical Thirty30 match be compared with a traditional tennis match?

 

A typical Thirty30 match is roughly half the length of a traditional tennis match.

 

Thirty30 best-of-3: about 40–60 minutes

 

Thirty30 best-of-5: about 60-90 minutes

 

A Thirty30 match is on average up to 45% shorter while still retaining the familiar tennis format.

 

Question 7 : You mention that a tie-break set can be completed in no longer than 20 minutes. How important is predictability of match duration for modern clubs and players?

 

Predictability of match duration is very important for modern tennis clubs and players.

 

A format such as Thirty30, where a tie-break set can be completed in about 20 minutes, makes scheduling much easier. Clubs can maximise court usage, reduce gaps between bookings, and run competitions to a reliable timetable. Players also benefit because they can fit matches more easily around work, family and other commitments.

 

In short, predictable duration turns tennis from an open-ended commitment into a manageable, time-efficient activity – particularly valuable for busy modern players and clubs trying to maximise court capacity.

 

Question 8 : Could Thirty30 help clubs increase court utilisation, particularly during peak and off-peak hours? If so, how?

 

Thirty30 can help tennis clubs increase court utilisation by making it easier to fill short, bookable 30 or 60 minute slots.

 

Peak hours: Clubs can use Thirty30 to organise structured, high-turnover sessions, helping more members access courts during busy periods.

 

Off-peak hours: Shorter sessions make it easier to attract players who might not commit to a full session, helping convert otherwise unused court time into bookings.

 

Better utilisation: A simple format encourages players to play more frequently, while clubs can schedule sessions around gaps in the existing court-booking programme.

 

More participation: Because matches are short and competitive, Thirty30 can appeal to a wider range of members, creating additional demand across the day.

 

Overall, it gives clubs a flexible way to turn both peak-time capacity and off-peak gaps into more playing opportunities and court revenue.

 

Question 9

 

How does the format improve the experience for amateur and recreational players who may find traditional tennis matches too long or demanding?

 

The thirty30 tennis format can make tennis more accessible and enjoyable for amateur and recreational players by making matches shorter, faster and less physically demanding.

 

Shorter matches: Games and sets are structured to reduce overall playing time, making it easier to fit tennis into a busy schedule.

 

Less physical strain: Players spend less time on court, which can be particularly appealing to beginners or those who find full-length matches tiring.

 

More competitive: The faster format keeps the score and outcome in doubt, creating excitement without requiring the endurance of traditional tennis.

 

More social: Shorter matches allow players to meet and compete against more people in a single session.

 

Easier to get started: The simpler, quicker format can reduce the intimidation that some recreational players feel about playing a full conventional match.

 

Overall, Thirty30 retains the competitive and strategic elements of tennis while making the experience quicker, more relaxed and more manageable for everyday players.

 

Question 10

 

Do you see Thirty30 primarily as an alternative format for recreational tennis, or could it eventually become a serious professional competition format?

 

I see Thirty30 as more than just a recreational alternative, although recreational tennis is an important initial use case.

 

I describe Thirty30 as a formal competitive format, suitable for recreational and professional players, and compare its potential role to cricket’s T20.

 

My ambition is: start with clubs, juniors and recreational competition, but ultimately establish Thirty30 as a legitimate ultra competitive format that could potentially reach elite / professional tennis.

 

Question 11

 

What has been the response from tennis players, coaches and clubs that have already experimented with Thirty30?

 

Based on almost 300 Testimonials received over a 2-year period, the response from people who have trialled Thirty30 has generally been very positive.

 

Players: They tend to like the faster pace and intensity. Starting every game at 30–30 means almost every point has immediate significance, with less “dead time”. Younger players in particular have enjoyed the more dynamic format with many more deuce games.

 

Coaches: Coaches have highlighted its usefulness for juniors, practice sessions and drills, because players get much more exposure to pressure points while still playing something that feels like conventional tennis. Former pro Jeff Tarango, for example, strongly endorsed it for practice and junior tennis.

 

Clubs: The attraction is principally practical: a best-of-three match can generally fit into a one-hour court booking, allowing clubs to run more matches or competitions. One coach reported that older juniors found it faster, more exciting and more fun.

 

Overall, the recurring themes are “more fun, more competitive, more points that matter, and much easier to fit into limited court time.”

 

Question 12

 

What do you believe are the biggest barriers to convincing traditional tennis stakeholders to adopt a new scoring format?

 

The biggest barriers are essentially tradition, inertia and institutional resistance to change:

 

Tennis is deeply attached to its traditional scoring and format, so stakeholders can see alternatives as “not really tennis.” I deliberately designed Thirty30 to preserve as much of the traditional game as possible.

 

Question 13

 

How could Thirty30 fit into formats such as Americanos, Mexicanos, box leagues, round robins and corporate tournaments?

 

The Thirty30 ‘timed’ format – e.g.15-minute continuous play – matches where total  ‘games’ are accumulated rather than the classic conventional fixed total – e.g. 32-points matches with ‘points’ accumulation – fits very naturally into these competition formats because every match has a entirely predictable duration.

 

Americano: Players rotate partners / opponents, with each Thirty30 match contributing ‘games’ to an individual leaderboard. The short matches make it easy to run many rotations in a session.

 

Mexicano: Players are paired according to their current standings / results, so the competitive level adjusts as the event progresses. Thirty30 keeps each round time-controlled.

 

Box leagues: Players within each box play a series of Thirty30 matches against the others. Results can determine promotion / relegation between boxes without requiring long match slots.

 

Round robins: Everyone plays everyone (or a defined number of opponents), with each Thirty30 match counting towards the standings. This works particularly well when court time is limited.

 

Corporate tournaments: Thirty30 is especially useful because organisers can run multiple short rounds on a fixed timetable, allowing participants to play several opponents while keeping the event to, say, 60–120 minutes. It also makes tennis, padel and pickleball accessible to mixed-ability groups.

 

The key advantage: Thirty30 provides a fixed, predictable match duration, so organisers can build competitions around a timetable rather than waiting for matches to finish. This makes formats such as Americanos, Mexicanos, box leagues and round robins much easier to schedule.

 

Question 14

 

Can a shorter and more repeatable format help clubs improve player retention and encourage players to book courts more regularly?

 

A shorter, more repeatable Thirty30 scoring format can help clubs in several ways:

 

Easier to fit into busy schedules: Shorter matches make it more realistic for players to play before or after work, increasing court usage.

 

More predictable booking times: A consistent match length makes it easier to book courts confidently without worrying about games overrunning.

 

More frequent play: Players can fit multiple matches into a week, helping build a regular playing habit.

 

Less intimidating for casual players: A shorter format feels more accessible to beginners and returning players, reducing the commitment required to get on court.

 

More competitive opportunities: Because matches are quicker, clubs can organise more leagues, ladders and social competitions within the same court capacity.

 

Better retention: Regular, convenient playing opportunities create stronger engagement and make players more likely to stay active within the club.

 

In short: Thirty30 can turn tennis or padel or pickleball from an occasional, time-consuming commitment into a regular, convenient habit – benefiting both player retention and court utilisation.

 

Question 15

 

You have also developed Thirty30 for padel. Why do you believe the format is particularly relevant to the rapidly growing padel ecosystem?

 

I believe Thirty30 is particularly relevant to padel’s rapid growth because the sport needs a format that can accommodate more players, more matches and more court demand without sacrificing excitement.

 

My key argument is that Thirty30:

 

Cuts match / set times significantly – a set can take around 20 minutes.

 

Creates more high-pressure points and less “dead time,” making matches more dynamic for players and spectators.

 

Is extremely well suited to Americanos / Mexicanos, box leagues, round-robins, tournaments, Corporate Events and social play, allowing clubs to rotate more players through limited court capacity.

 

Can help attract people who want short, intense sessions, such as lunchtime or off-peak players.

 

In short, I see Thirty30 as a way for padel’s infrastructure and playing formats to scale alongside the sport’s explosive growth, rather than being constrained by traditional 90-minute matches.

 

Question 16

 

What is the concept behind the Thirty30 “Big Smash” mixed-gender team format, and what makes it different from existing competitions?

 

The Thirty30 “Big Smash” is essentially a unique short, mixed-gender team match format designed to combine the excitement of team competition with faster, more decisive tennis / padel / pickleball .

 

Teams: 2 women + 2 men.

 

Tennis and Pickleball – Five rubbers:

Women’s Doubles,

Men’s Doubles,

Women’s Singles,

Men’s Singles,

Mixed Doubles.

 

Padel and Pickleball – Five rubbers:

Mixed Doubles #1,

Mixed Doubles #2,

Women’s Doubles,

Men’s Doubles,

Mixed Doubles #3.

 

Thirty30 scoring: dramatically reduces match length while retaining conventional tennis / padel scoring principles.

 

Progressive points: the first two rubbers are worth 1 point each, the next two rubbers are worth 2 points each, and the final rubber is worth 3 points – 9 points total, so there can be no draw.

 

The format is designed to fit a complete team tie into roughly 2½ hours on one court.

 

What makes it different?

 

The key innovation is the combination of three ideas: Thirty30’s shortened scoring, the mixed-gender team structure associated with competitions such as World Team Tennis, and progressively increasing match value, similar to the Laver Cup.

 

Unlike traditional mixed team competitions such as the United Cup / Hopman Cup / Hexagon Cup where individual matches generally have more conventional weighting and scoring, Big Smash makes the final rubber the climax worth three points. That means the overall result can remain genuinely in doubt until the last match.

 

So, in simple terms: Big Smash is intended to make tennis / padel / pickleball feel more like a fast, strategic team sport – shorter, mixed-gender, progressively scored, and with the biggest match saved for last.

 

Question 17

 

Could Thirty30 become a bridge between traditional racket-sport competition and the newer generation of shorter, entertainment-driven sports formats?

 

Thirty30 could act as a bridge between traditional racket-sport competition and the newer generation of short-form, entertainment-led sports by combining the credibility of established tennis and padel and pickleball with a faster, more accessible format.

 

Shorter matches make competition easier to follow and fit into modern viewing habits.

 

Simple, high-intensity scoring creates more immediate drama, reducing the patience required for a traditional full-length match.

 

A genuine competitive structure – players still have to win points and games and sets and perform under pressure – retains the sporting integrity and skill of racket sports.

 

Entertainment and presentation can make the format more attractive to younger audiences, casual players and digital viewers.

 

A crossover opportunity emerges: traditional tennis and padel and pickleball players can compete alongside, and introduce their sports to, audiences already attracted to formats such as T20 cricket, 3×3 basketball and other shortened competitions.

 

In essence, Thirty30 could preserve the skill, rivalry and legitimacy of racket sports while packaging it in a faster, more social and entertainment-friendly experience – making it a potential gateway between the traditional game and the next generation of sports consumption.

 

Question 18

 

What role do you see Thirty30 playing in the growth of tennis and padel and pickleball, particularly among younger and casual players?

 

I see Thirty30 as a shorter, faster, more accessible version of racket sports – something that can bring in people who might be put off by long traditional matches.

 

For younger players, I particularly see Thirty30 as a way to make tennis / padel / pickleball more exciting and easier to fit into modern lifestyles, while still preserving the “DNA” and feel of the traditional game. I also highlight its appeal to casual and recreational players, because a set can take roughly 20 minutes and allows more games and opponents within a normal court booking.

 

My broader ambition is to apply the same idea across not only tennis, padel and pickleball but also to other racket sports, creating a more dynamic, bite-sized form of racket sports that can expand participation and attract a new generation.

 

Question 19

 

What would success look like for Thirty30 over the next five years — adoption by clubs, national federations, professional tours, or something much bigger?

 

I’d define five-year success for Thirty30 as becoming a recognised operating standard for tennis, padel and pickleball competition.

 

A strong outcome would be:

 

Clubs: adopted by a meaningful share of clubs as their default platform for leagues, ladders and competitions.

 

National federations: endorsed or integrated by several major federations, giving Thirty30 institutional credibility.

 

Professional tours: used by selected professional events or tours where its format genuinely improves the player / fan experience.

 

Bigger opportunity: Thirty30 becomes the digital infrastructure layer connecting recreational, competitive and professional tennis – with player identities, rankings, competition data and engagement flowing across the ecosystem.

 

Question 20

 

If Twenty20 transformed the way cricket was consumed, what exactly would you like Thirty30 to change about the way people play, watch and experience racket sports?

 

I would like racket sports to become shorter, faster and more accessible without losing their traditional identity.

 

Play: Make matches fit comfortably into an hour, with almost every point carrying real significance and far less “dead time.”

 

Watch: Create more intense, bite-sized contests that are easier to follow in person, on TV and via streaming – particularly for younger and time-poor audiences.

 

Experience: Enable tournaments to offer more matches, more opponents and more social / competitive interaction, rather than players spending most of their time waiting around.

 

The key is not to replace traditional tennis or padel or pickleball , but to add a T20-style alternative alongside it – just as cricket retained Tests and ODIs while creating a hugely successful shorter format.

 

The ambition is essentially to “revolutionise racket sports” by creating a faster, more thrilling version where every point really counts.

 

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