Full Breakdown
Debate on Women Playing Best-of-Five Sets at Grand Slams Intensifies
2/10/2026, 1:50:32 PM
Current Proposal and Context
The possibility of women playing best-of-five set matches at Grand Slam tournaments has gained attention following comments from Craig Tiley, the tournament director of the Australian Open. Tiley suggested that this format could be implemented starting with the quarterfinals of the 2027 Australian Open. Currently, women compete in best-of-three set matches throughout Grand Slams, while men play best-of-five. This disparity has sparked ongoing discussions about the potential for change in women's tennis.
Perspectives from Top Players
Coco Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, recently shared her thoughts on the matter. In a press conference ahead of the Qatar Open, Gauff expressed her ambivalence towards the idea of women playing five-set matches. She stated, “I feel like, from a spectator’s standpoint, it would be just too much for the men and women to play best-of-five.” Gauff emphasized the importance of consistency in tournament rules, suggesting that if the best-of-five format were to be adopted, it should apply to the entire tournament rather than just certain rounds. She concluded, “I like the way two-out-of-three is. I think best-of-five wouldn’t be terrible, but I don’t know. I feel indifferent towards the question, honestly.”
Iga Swiatek, the former world number one, also weighed in on the debate. She acknowledged the challenges of playing longer matches, stating, “I don’t really think it makes sense for us to play such long matches.” However, Swiatek noted that she might have an advantage in endurance compared to her peers, saying, “I consider myself one of the players that is like kind of tough in coping with endurance and longer matches.” She raised concerns about the implications for scheduling and player preparation if the format were to change.
Historical Context
The last instance of women competing in best-of-five set matches occurred nearly 28 years ago, during the WTA Finals, which featured this format from 1984 until 1998. The final match played under these rules was between Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis.
Criticism and Opposition
Despite the ongoing discussions, there remains significant skepticism among fans and players regarding the feasibility and necessity of implementing five-set matches for women. Many believe that the current best-of-three format is sufficient and that extending match lengths could lead to logistical challenges and player fatigue.
What's Next
As the debate continues, the focus for players like Gauff and Swiatek remains on their current competitions, including the Qatar Open. With three Grand Slams still to take place this season, the conversation about match formats is likely to persist, drawing attention from both players and fans alike.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Iga Swiatek thinks she’d have an advantage if women played best-of-five-set matches Asked at her Qatar Open press conference whether she’d like to see women play best-of-five matches at Grand Slams, just after Coco Gauff had shared her verdict, Swiatek then added: “I think with the world right now that is kind of, like, speeding up, I don’t really think it makes sense for us to play such long matches.” — Iga Swiatek, Former World Number One
