Taipei Challenger Puts Local Twist On Coin Toss

Tennis fans are used to a coin toss to decide which player will serve first in a match, but this week’s ATP Challenger Tour event in Taipei, Taiwan, is putting a unique twist on this customary practice.

The tournament is showcasing some of the local culture by using jiaobei blocks in lieu of a standard coin. Made out of wood or bamboo and then carved into a crescent shape, the divination blocks are traditionally thrown in pairs to answer a yes or no question. Although they are more commonly found in temples and home shrines as a means of attempting to receive an answer from the gods, only the tennis gods are being called upon at this week’s Challenger to help answer who will kick off the match.

“I’ve played matches in countries across the globe. I’ve seen all kinds of coins and currencies used to decide who serves first, but never the traditional wooden pieces used here in Taipei,” said Liam Broady, who advanced into the quarter-finals on Thursday. “I had to query the umpire more than once on how they would decide who served because I didn’t understand how they worked. I think it’s a fun way to change the routine of starting a tennis match.”

Play continues on Friday in Taipei and features No. 1 seed Ricardas Berankis, who is currently riding a 13-match winning streak on the ATP Challenger Tour.