“It would be a shame”: Kim Clijsters reacts to Novak Djokovic’s call for shorter matches
Tennis NewsMonday, 10 August 2026 at 00:30
Kim Clijsters has pushed back against Novak Djokovic’s proposal to shorten men’s tennis matches, arguing that the sport should preserve the possibility of four- and five-hour battles at its biggest tournaments. The former world No. 1 discussed Djokovic’s idea on the Love All podcast, making clear that she would be reluctant to remove one of the defining features of Grand Slam tennis.
Djokovic recently suggested changing the best-of-five format by reducing each set from six games to four, potentially introducing no-ad scoring as well. The 24-time Grand Slam champion said the changes could help keep matches under two hours, offering a faster format that could make tennis easier to follow for fans and broadcasters.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, acknowledged the arguments behind Djokovic’s proposal but remained firmly attached to the spectacle created by long matches. For her, the possibility of seeing elite players pushed through several hours of high-level tennis remains an important part of the sport.
“I think there’s nothing greater than seeing a four- or five-hour match, and they don’t happen every day, right?,” Clijsters stated. “But to have a few of them in a tournament, especially if you can have a Novak against Sinner or a Novak against Rafa, Rafa against Roger, those moments, I feel, stand out so much in the history of our sport, and it would be a shame if we don’t have that.”
Clijsters wants the biggest matches to remain best-of-five
Clijsters’ objection is primarily about preserving those matches that can define a Grand Slam. She pointed to the history created by long battles between the sport’s biggest names and said she would be reluctant to remove that possibility simply to make matches shorter. She also admitted that her view is partly shaped by her preference for the traditional structure of the sport.
“So I don’t think I want to see that, but I get, especially from Novak’s side, and I think, and I hear it a lot in the business world as well, there’s a lot of people who talk about that, how TV would make things a lot easier for a lot of parties that are investing into the sport. But I think as a player, but I’m also kind of old school. I don’t like to see a lot of changes to our sport.”
The Belgian also questioned whether best-of-five needs to remain the standard from the opening rounds of a Grand Slam. While she does not want to lose the possibility of marathon matches later in tournaments, she could see a shorter format being used earlier.
“I’d be okay if we had best three out of five. Again, this is obviously a men’s tennis discussion, but from the quarterfinals on. Because as much as it is great to have the battles late in the tournament, do I need to see a two, three and four second-round match? Not really. I’d be fine with just two and three.”
Clijsters also acknowledged the strongest argument against that compromise: a shorter match can eliminate the possibility of a comeback that becomes one of the defining moments of a tournament.
“I get the tradition perspective. I get that there could be a random comeback from two sets to love down that could be one of the matches of the tournament, and you’re never going to know if you only play two out of three. But it is a conversation to be had.”
The physical demands of five-set tennis
The discussion also led Clijsters to a question she had considered during her own playing career: how male players prepare for the dramatically different physical and tactical demands of three-set and five-set competition. The ATP Tour is dominated by best-of-three matches, while Grand Slam singles remain best-of-five, forcing players to adjust depending on the tournament.
“It’s something that I’ve always wondered about with the men. How do they adjust physically all the time? Do you train in your offseason as if you’re getting ready for a five-set match that could last four or five hours? Because you almost can’t add that into your schedule during the season. I’m almost curious how different their schedule is when it comes to preparations and having changes of length in your matches.”
Clijsters noted that the contrast can be particularly obvious around the Australian Open and the Indian Wells-Miami swing, when players move between five-set Grand Slam matches and the three-set format used at most ATP tournaments.
“It’s something that we don’t have to deal with. But the guys do. So when you go from a Miami-Indian Wells, or you play Australia where you’re playing five sets, and then the next big tournament is Indian Wells-Miami, and you play three setters, that has to be mentally, tactically. It’s such a different game.”
Djokovic won the Indian Wells title 5 times: 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016.
Her own approach as a player also shaped how she viewed the difference. Clijsters said she preferred to establish an advantage immediately, rather than rely on having additional sets available to recover. That mindset, she suggested, can make the opening stages of a match feel different when players know they have five sets rather than three.
“My mindset when I was playing was, I need to be ready to go from the first point because I’m trying to win that first set. I try to get that advantage over my opponent. Whereas, I think when you have the chance to play five sets, I think it just takes maybe the urgency away a little bit.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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