Carlos Alcaraz Advocates for Retaining Five-Set Matches in Grand Slams

While some advocate for changing the five-set format to best-of-three in order to shorten match times, Alcaraz firmly opposes this shift. In his pre-tournament press conference, he stated, "The Grand Slams are playing best of five. If we take away that and play the best of three, I think we’re killing the legacy of the Grand Slams and killing the Grand Slams. We have been playing best-of-five matches at the Grand Slams since the very beginning, and I think that is what makes those tournaments different and special. So I wouldn’t touch anything from that and for me it’s okay to play the best of five."

His views align with those of fellow players like Frances Tiafoe, who expressed similar sentiments during the US Open, stating the significance of achievements within the best-of-five format. Taylor Fritz also supported the traditional scoring system in a July statement, emphasizing its importance for Grand Slams.

Historically, three of the four major events experimented with a best-of-three set format in the 1970s. The Australian Open was the first to implement this change, followed by Roland Garros and the US Open, which utilized the shorter format in various rounds until 1978, when it was discontinued.

Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, also addressed his recovery from a wrist injury that sidelined him for four months. He assured fans, "I’ve recovered fully and have been able to train thoroughly. I feel like I’m getting better every single day, so I’m looking forward to what’s ahead."

Lastly, Alcaraz reflected on the longest Grand Slam final on record, where Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in a grueling five-hour and 53-minute match at the 2012 Australian Open, showcasing the enduring legacy of the five-set format.