In a bold declaration that is likely to ignite conversation, former world No. 7 Danielle Collins has expressed her strong desire to eliminate the best-of-five-set match format from professional tennis, labeling these lengthy matches as "way too long."
During a recent episode of The Big T Podcast on Tennis Channel, Collins joined fellow tennis figures CoCo Vandeweghe and Brad Gilbert to engage in a lively discussion about the sport's future. It was during this dialogue that Gilbert, who has an impressive coaching history with legends like Andre Agassi and Coco Gauff, shared his frustration over frequent calls for men's tennis to abandon the five-set format. He stated he was "sick" of the debate surrounding this topic, indicating a strong preference for traditional match lengths.
Vandeweghe, notable for her impressive runs in the 2017 Australian Open and US Open, contributed an intriguing suggestion to the conversation. She proposed that both male and female players compete in best-of-three sets until the quarterfinals of Grand Slam events, after which they would transition to a five-set format. This could potentially maintain excitement while still honoring the endurance aspect of the game.
However, Collins did not hold back in her disagreement with her co-hosts. She firmly asserted her stance against the five-set format, saying, "I disagree with both of you. I think we have to do away with three out of five. We have to flush that down the toilet. These matches are way too long! What are we even doing? The whole year we are doing two out of three on the men’s side and then at the Slams it’s three out of five; it does not make any sense to me." Her comments reflect a growing sentiment among some players that the current system may need reevaluation.
Despite Collins' passionate opposition, Gilbert remained steadfast in his defense of the five-set tradition, warning that altering the structure of men’s tennis from five sets to three, then back to five, could significantly alter the sport's historical context.
Moreover, after Elena Rybakina's victory over Aryna Sabalenka in this year's Australian Open final, tournament director Craig Tiley hinted at the possibility of introducing five-set matches for women, starting in 2027. His proposal suggests maintaining the traditional format through the round of 16, with a shift to best-of-five matches beginning in the quarterfinals.
Given Collins' clear disapproval of such changes, it's evident that this issue will continue to spark debate within the tennis community. As fans and players alike ponder the future of match formats, one must ask: should tradition be upheld, or is it time for a change? What are your thoughts on this ongoing conversation? Share your opinions below!
