World number two Alexander Zverev expressed strong opposition to the idea of shortening men's Grand Slam matches from best-of-five sets to best-of-three, emphasizing the historical significance of the current format. Speaking at the China Open on Thursday, Zverev stated, "It's history," highlighting the extreme physical demands of competing in five-set matches.
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Recent discussions within the sport, including comments from the Australian Open's organizing body, have suggested that the major tournaments might consider such a change to enhance audience engagement, particularly among younger fans. Proponents believe that shorter matches could make the sport more accessible.
However, Zverev defended the traditional format, noting that winning a Grand Slam requires the highest level of endurance. He recalled his own experience, having played two five-set matches during his US Open victory, which extended well past midnight.
Zverev dismissed the idea that players would prefer the best-of-three format, jokingly mentioning Novak Djokovic, who at 39 years old is seeking his elusive 25th Grand Slam title. Zverev remarked, "I don't know a single player who would like to play best-of-three sets," suggesting that even if Djokovic might consider it now, he likely would not have wanted to a decade or more ago.