Five-set tennis is under attack. Killing it would be a colossal unforced error | Andrew Lawrence
Summary
The recent long tennis match between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open ended very late and reignited discussions about whether five-set matches should continue. Five-set matches are a traditional and important part of men’s tennis but can be physically hard on players, leading to debate about possibly shortening the format.Key Facts
- The Shelton vs. Alcaraz US Open quarter-final lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes, ending at 3:33 a.m., the latest end time in US Open history.
- Five-set matches are seen as a key test of skill and endurance in men’s tennis and are part of tennis history and tradition.
- Famous long matches, like the 11-hour Wimbledon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, are often remembered and respected despite their length.
- Five-set matches can be demanding on players’ bodies, increasing the risk of injury or missing future events.
- Tennis officials, including the incoming Tennis Australia CEO, have suggested possible changes to shorten matches or alter scoring to balance tradition with players’ health and fans’ interest.
- The debate about whether to keep or modify five-set matches has been ongoing for several years.
- Some tennis leaders have proposed that women might also play five-set matches in the future.
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