Kyrgios advocates for rule change in Grand Slam tennis matches

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has suggested that the number of sets in the rounds leading up to the quarterfinals should be limited to three in the Grand Slams. The 29-year-old is often regarded as one of the most outspoken players in professional tennis. It is because of this reason he has been involved in some controversies as well.

For a change, the Canberra-born star has come up with an idea which might receive a lot of support in the tennis world. The former world number 13 suggested that Grand Slams matches leading up to the quarterfinal must be limited to three sets. He was of the opinion that three-set matches gives a far more chance to weaker players to cause an upset compared to five-set matches.

"I think matches should be best of three sets up to the quarter-finals, and from there, best of five. That's what I would immediately change in the Grand Slams,” he said. “If you made it best of three up until the quarter-finals, you'd see some guys break through to the quarter-finals, but then obviously the better players would end up winning best-of-five. And the first week would be more exciting. How many times have we seen one of the best players in the draw lose the first set and you're just like, he's gonna come back and win it anyway? When Li Tu won a set against [Carlos] Alcaraz early on [at the US Open]. Now it's one set all, and then it's one set [to go] that could change Li's entire career. He beats Alcaraz on the Centre Court at the US Open, you become a name. I think that would be a cool thing to change."

Kyrgios is not the first player to suggest such a move. Previously, former world number one Novak Djokovic has also suggested similar changes in Grand Slam rules. As things stand, men’s singles category matches in a major event can go up to five sets.