"I would support it": Novak Djokovic supports change in format of Grand Slams going forward

Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic has supported the idea of changing the format of bigger events. The 37-year-old is regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic, who is currently participating in Wimbledon 2024, was recently quoted in a report suggesting some bold decisions must be made for bigger events in the future. The third Grand Slam is moving towards the business end, and the remaining players are giving their all to secure the ultimate prize.

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The former world number one believed that five-set matches in men’s tennis should only take place in the later stages of the competition as there is a lot of history connected with them and that in the earlier phase, the matches should be restricted to three sets only.

“Five-set matches, nowadays you can only see them in Grand Slams, right? That’s what I guess excites both players and the crowd,” he said. “Most of the people love to see it. We as players like to play it. Maybe not that often. I think they’re an important aspect of the history and of the future, as well, of the sport. I would support it, particularly in the latter stages of the Grand Slam. I think they should stay best-of-five. The only thing that I’m maybe thinking it could be good to consider is the opening rounds that could go best-of-three.”

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Djokovic’s opinion is interesting, considering that there has been a lot of discussion about pay rates in men’s and women’s tennis. Many fans on social media question how both men's and women's tennis players can earn similar amounts of prize money, while one group of players can only take part in three-set contests, while the other set of players are set to play in five-set contests.

Djokovic is currently taking part in the Wimbledon 2024, where he has already booked his place in the fourth round after beating Australia’s Alexei Popyrin with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6. He will now face Denmark’s Holger Rune in the round of 16. The 21-year-old registered his spot in the fourth round after beating France’s Quentin Halys in a five-set thriller with a score of 1-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-1.