Roland Garros is adopting a final-set tiebreaker this year, but Rafael Nadal doesn't anticipate a major impact.

The Grand Slam Board announced today the joint decision to play a 10-point tiebreaker in finals sets at all Grand Slams this season. The tiebreaker will be played when the score reaches six games all in the final set. Previously, Roland Garros has played out final sets without a tiebreaker.

More: Nadal Sets Up Blockbuster vs. Kyrgios

The Grand Slam Board announced it will trial the rule change this season. 

"This trial, which has been approved by the Rules of Tennis Committee governed by the ITF, will apply to all Grand Slams across qualifying, men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, wheelchair and junior events in singles, and will commence at the 2022 edition of Roland-Garros," the Grand Slam board announced.

Asked his reaction to Roland Garros' change, 13-time French Open champion Nadal said "honestly, I don't think it's going to make a big difference."



Though he doesn't see the rule change impacting Roland Garros as much as it has at Wimbledon, Nadal said it is a positive to have all four Grand Slams adhere to the same rule.

"In some way that's positive," Nadal told the media in Indian Wells. "I don't think in Roland Garros makes a big impact. My opinion the biggest impact going to be in Wimbledon. Sometimes it's so difficult to break, so the matches become very long.

"But I don't feel that for Roland Garros change a lot. Okay, yes, can be a few more games, but I don't feel in Roland Garros you going to go normally 22-20. In Wimbledon that can happen."

Former Roland Garros champion Simona Halep supports the rule change.

"It's okay. We don't need three hours and a half matches," Halep said. "It's a good rule. I take it. Hopefully I don't play that much.

"I'm excited, yes. I was not looking forward to play in four hours in Melbourne again."

Photo credit: Getty