Carlos Alcaraz Advocates for Best-of-Five Format in Grand Slam Tournaments

When asked if he supports a shift from five sets to best-of-three at Grand Slams, Alcaraz stated, “If we take away that and play the best-of-three, I think we’re killing the legacy of the Grand Slams.” He emphasized the importance of the traditional format, noting that it has defined these major tournaments since their inception, stating, “I wouldn’t touch anything from that, and for me it’s okay to play the best of five.”

Instead of shortening matches, Alcaraz proposed that the ATP calendar should be revised. He suggested, “I would say the calendar. I’ve always said that it has to change,” advocating for a reduction in the number of tournaments back-to-back. Throughout the current season, Alcaraz has voiced concerns about the demands of the ATP schedule, calling it "impossible" and warning that it leads to injuries and fatigue among players. He believes fewer matches per year, rather than shorter match formats, could alleviate these issues.

Other players have echoed Alcaraz’s sentiments. Frances Tiafoe previously remarked during the US Open that a two-out-of-three format diminishes the significance of a Grand Slam title. Conversely, Novak Djokovic, facing the physical toll of five sets at age 38, acknowledged the difficulty of competing against younger players like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in that format but did not advocate for any changes.

Alexander Zverev has also criticized the ATP calendar, prompting a call to revert the Masters 1000 tournaments back to a single week format, arguing that the current structure can be overwhelming for elite players, especially leading into Grand Slams.

As he begins his title defense at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open after a prolonged wrist injury absence, Alcaraz achieved a 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1 victory over American Alex Michelsen, a player he had not faced before. He seeks a strong performance in Tokyo to maintain his world No. 3 ranking as the season nears its conclusion.