Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three, expressed his belief that Grand Slam tournaments should maintain their best-of-five set format, arguing that any move to shorten matches would harm the legacy of these prestigious events. Speaking at the Japan Open, Alcaraz highlighted the ongoing discussions surrounding player workload and match scheduling, particularly after his quarter-final loss at the US Open to Ben Shelton, which concluded at 3:33 a.m.
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Alcaraz stated, "The beauty of the Grand Slams is playing best-of-five sets. If we take away that and play best-of-three sets, we’re killing the legacy of the Grand Slams." He emphasized that the five-set format has been a hallmark of these tournaments since their inception and is crucial to their uniqueness.
While some, including Novak Djokovic, have suggested introducing best-of-three sets for early rounds of Grand Slams, Tennis Australia’s chief Andrew Abdo mentioned at the Sport NXT conference that new formats could be considered. However, he reaffirmed that five-set matches would remain integral to the tournaments, promising more details ahead of the 2027 Australian Open.
In light of recent concerns, the Grand Slams have formed a Player Advisory Council aimed at improving player welfare and compensation, following protests over these issues. Although the council's membership has not been officially announced, reports indicate that it includes notable players like Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, while Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are not part of it.
Alcaraz called for a reassessment of the packed 11-month tour calendar, particularly after he spent nearly five months sidelined due to a wrist injury. He stressed the importance of having fewer tournaments and avoiding consecutive weeks of play. The ATP has previously defended its scheduling practices, noting that the players have a choice in how to manage their participation throughout the season.
Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Kate Mayberry.