Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has sparked a wave of discussion by proposing a significant change to the game's format. During an interview with podcaster Nick Koutrakos, Djokovic suggested that matches should be played to three sets, with each set going to four games instead of the traditional six. He also mentioned the possibility of removing the 'advantage' rule at 40-40, which could shorten matches and keep them under two hours, a stance he said would benefit both fans and players. The proposal, however, has met with mixed reactions from players and fans.
Fonseca's Subtle Take on the Debate
At the Canadian Open, rising star Joao Fonseca addressed Djokovic's controversial idea during a press conference. The 19-year-old, who has previously competed in the four-game set format at the NextGen Finals, offered a light-hearted response to Djokovic's call for a scoring system overhaul. Recalling his experience with the shorter format, Fonseca said, 'I had a good time playing four games, four-game sets in the Next Gen. So I can't complain about it.' However, he hinted that Djokovic's stance might be influenced by his age, stating, 'I think he's saying that because of his physique, you know. He's getting older.'
Despite his playful remark, Fonseca defended the traditional six-game set format, arguing that it is essential for preserving tennis' identity. Fonseca's recent performance at the tournament has been impressive, as he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets and is set to face Casper Ruud in the third round.
Kim Clijsters, a four-time Grand Slam champion, also expressed her opposition to Djokovic's proposal in an interview on the Love All Podcast. Clijsters, who described herself as 'old school,' emphasized that the best-of-five format is a crucial part of tennis’ identity and that the sport should protect its greatest spectacles. She pointed to the legendary battles involving the Big Three, saying such matches are part of what makes tennis so special. 'I think there's nothing greater than seeing a four or five hour match. And they don't happen every day, right? But like to have a few of them in a tournament, especially if you can have Novak against Sinner or Novak against Rafa, Rafa against Roger, like those moments I feel stand out so much in the history of our sport.' She also highlighted the uniqueness of tennis as a sport where such intense, long matches are possible. 'I absolutely love that we have that,' she added. 'For Clijsters, these epic contests are an irreplaceable part of tennis' legacy and should be preserved for future generations. She also understands why Djokovic may want tennis to become shorter. 'I get, you know, especially from Novak's side, and I think you know and I hear it a lot in the business world as well. There are a lot of people who talk about how, you know, TV and it would make things a lot easier for a lot of kind of parties that are investing in the sport.' However, Kim said she is 'pretty old school' when it comes to tennis and does not like seeing too many changes. 'But I think as a player and but I'm also kind of old school like I don't like to see a lot of changes to our sport.' She added that she loves watching those big battles at Grand Slams because tennis has something unique that other sports do not. 'I like like seeing those, you know, couple of matches, a slam where it's like this super intense and and a battle and yeah, that's what you don't have in any other sport.'
Tennis Has a Long and Unchanged History
The current scoring system in tennis has its roots in a tradition that dates back over 500 years. While some changes have been introduced over time, such as the tiebreaker in the 1970s to prevent overly long sets, the core structure of the game remains largely untouched. In 2022, the introduction of the 10-point final set tiebreaker aimed to further shorten matches while still maintaining the game's integrity.
Djokovic's proposed change would be a major shift from the current system, particularly in men's tennis, where Grand Slam matches follow a best-of-five format. The idea of moving to four-game sets with the possible elimination of the advantage system at 40-40 could drastically change the way the game is played. However, this idea faces strong resistance from players and fans who value the traditional format and its role in creating some of the sport's most memorable moments.
The longest match in tennis history is the 2010 Wimbledon final between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut. The match, which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes, was the result of an epic five-set battle. More recently, Djokovic himself faced a five-set challenge against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Wimbledon quarterfinals. The match lasted for five hours and 15 minutes, showcasing the kind of intense, high-stakes competition that fans and players often argue should remain part of the sport.
These marathon matches are central to the ongoing debate about the future of tennis. For many, such contests are not only a test of endurance and skill but also a symbol of the sport's rich history and unique appeal. Whether tennis should evolve its format to accommodate modern preferences or preserve its traditions remains an open question.