Alcaraz Says Five Sets Key to Grand Slam Legacy, Urges Calendar Reforms Instead
The world No. 3 said shortening men’s matches would damage the majors’ legacy and urged reforms to the crowded 11-month tour calendar.
- On Wednesday at the Japan Open in Tokyo, world number three Carlos Alcaraz defended best-of-five sets at Grand Slam tournaments, arguing that shortening matches would damage the sport's legacy.
- Momentum for schedule reform grew after Ben Shelton defeated Alcaraz at the US Open last month in a quarter-final that finished at 3:33 a.m., sparking concerns about late-night finishes.
- Alcaraz criticized the 11-month calendar, specifically lambasting the recent expansion of most Masters 1000 events from one week to 12 days, calling for fewer consecutive tournaments.
- While Novak Djokovic has proposed best-of-three matches for initial rounds, the Australian Open confirmed five-set tennis is "here to stay" as the four majors formed a Player Advisory Council.
- Tournament officials plan to reveal more ahead of the 2027 tournament as the ATP faces ongoing pressure from players to improve scheduling and reduce tour demands.
11 Articles
11 Articles
“Killing the Legacy”- Carlos Alcaraz Draws the Line on Grand Slams While Demanding Calendar Change
After coming off a different, shortened format at the Laver Cup, questions have resurfaced across tennis about whether the Grand Slams themselves should follow suit, trimming best-of-five matches down to best-of-three to make the majors more engaging and more manageable for broadcasters and fans alike. Team Europe’s own top performer at that event, Carlos Alcaraz, […]
Alcaraz Defends Five-Set Grand Slams, Calls for Calendar Reforms After Workload Debate
Carlos Alcaraz said Grand Slam tournaments should remain best-of-five sets as shortening men's matches would damage the legacy of tennis' four majors, as the world number three stressed the need for changes to the packed tour calendar instead.A growing debate about player workload, late finishes and the demands of the calendar gathered momentum at the US Open last month after Ben Shelton ended Alcaraz's title defence in a quarter-final that fin…
Alcaraz says five sets key to Grand Slam legacy, urges calendar reforms instead
Oct 1 : Carlos Alcaraz said Grand Slam tournaments should remain best-of-five sets as shortening men's matches would damage the legacy of tennis' four majors, as the world number three stressed the need for changes to the packed tour calendar instead.A growing debate about player workload, late finishes and t
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