Alcaraz Defends Best-of-Five Format for Grand Slams

During a press conference ahead of the Japan Open in Tokyo, where he is the defending champion, the world No. 1 was asked whether the format should be changed. Alcaraz stated, "The Grand Slams are playing best of five. If we take away that and play 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."

Abdo, who succeeded Craig Tiley last month, suggested at the SportNXT conference that the best-of-five format might not be permanent, considering options to adapt the format to engage younger audiences. He acknowledged that such changes could face pushback from traditionalists.

The Australian Open quickly addressed the issue, stating, "While innovation is part of the AO’s DNA, five-set tennis is here to stay. We’ll reveal more on what’s coming to AO 2027 soon."

The conversation about changing the format is not new. Novak Djokovic proposed a hybrid model after Wimbledon 2024 that would feature best-of-three sets in early rounds, while Tiley had previously advocated for women’s matches to also adopt a five-set format.

Alcaraz's comments are particularly relevant given his recent U.S. Open match against Ben Shelton that extended to 3:33 a.m., reigniting discussions about the demands placed on players. However, Alcaraz emphasized that his preferred change would involve reducing the number of tournaments rather than altering match length. He stated, "I’ve always said that it has to change. Playing a little bit less, and not having that amount of tournaments in a row, week after week. So I would change that, definitely I would change that."

This sentiment has been consistent for Alcaraz, as he previously voiced concerns about the impact of the busy schedule at the Laver Cup in September 2024, stating that it was "probably going to kill us in some way." He reiterated his belief that team weeks help restore rather than drain his energy.