Former British No.1 Laura Robson calls for increased format in Women's Grand Slam matches: "I don’t see why we don’t play best of five from quarter-finals onwards"

WTA
Friday, 27 January 2023 at 08:55
robsonschett
Former British player Laura Robson wants to see bo5 WTA matches at grand slams because she thinks it would make things interesting and help the sport.
It's not a novel concept and WTA matches have lasted 5 sets in the past giving us some amazing tennis moments. It's not a very popular idea though as most players have shot to down in recent years whenever they were asked about it. She explained her reasons in the Eurosport Australian Open coverage show saying:
“I think women absolutely could play best of five sets. I think it’s a logistical nightmare for any tournament director to try and plan two best-of-five tournaments. I don’t see why we don’t play best of five from the quarter-finals onwards. Over the last few years, with the nerves of some playing their first finals, it would help them to have another set to work with. If they just had more time out there, you can tell that they’d recover further into the match. I know opinion is split, but I think they can do it.”
Barbara Schett agreed adding:
“Women are definitely able to do that”
With Mats Wilander adding:
“I can’t imagine playing two sets out of three at a Slam. Two out of three sets - at Wimbledon - must be absolutely nerve-racking, because, in 40 minutes, you can be down a set and a break. These days, with the way that the women serve, that can be tough.”

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