"Should stay best-of-5"- Novak Djokovic rejects the idea of shortening Grand Slam matches amid debate at Wimbledon; proposes hybrid format

Novak Djokovic has opposed any proposals of reducing Grand Slam matches from best-of-five-sets to best-of-three-sets amidst ongoing discussions at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The Serb instead proposed a hybrid format, suggesting that certain matches could be contested as best-of-three-sets while others remain best-of-five.

Seeded second, Djokovic kicked off his campaign at SW19 by defeating qualifier Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 and wildcard Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in the first and second rounds, respectively.

In the third round, the Serb overcame Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) in just over three hours at the Centre Court to advance to the fourth round where he will face 15th seed Holger Rune.

During the match, the 24-time Grand Slam champion became only the sixth player in Wimbledon history to record over 1000 aces, joining the ranks of Roger Federer, Goran Ivanisevic, Pete Sampras, John Isner, and Ivo Karlovic.

During the post-match press conference, Novak Djokovic was asked about his thoughts on the possibility of Grand Slam matches being reduced from best-of-five-sets to best-of-three-sets.

In response, Djokovic dismissed the idea of shortening matches. However, he suggested a compromise and stated that there could be an introduction of a "hybrid format" where the opening rounds are played as best-of-three-sets and the best-of-five-sets matches are reserved for the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final matches.

"I don't think so. 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, then you move into the hybrid of best-of-fives from the fourth rounds or quarters. That's just me, my thinking," he said.

Djokovic also stated that since five-match sets are only played during the Grand Slams, that makes them exciting events for the players and for the fans watching.

Meanwhile, at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, 34 five-set matches have already been played and there is a chance that the record for most five-set matches played in a Grand Slam might get broken. The current record is 35 five-set matches, at the 2024 Australian Open and the 1983 US Open.

"Five-set matches, nowadays you can only see them in Grand Slams, right? That's what I guess excites both players and the crowd. Most people love to see it. We as players like to play it," he added.

Novak Djokovic also picked out the most exciting best-of-five-sets match he has played, the 2019 Wimbledon Championships final. Back then, he had defeated Roger Federer 7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3) to win his fifth grasscourt Major title and his 16th Grand Slam title overall.

The one that I can highlight was one of the most exciting matches I've ever played in my life, the five-setter against [Roger] Federer here in the finals of Wimbledon 2019. So it was an incredible match with some match points saved. If that match was best-of-three, yes, I was two sets to one up, I think it would be quite different, because he was the better player," he said.

Novak Djokovic: "Best-of-five gives you a sense of confidence and tranquility"

Novak Djokovic

At the aforementioned press conference, while talking about the advantages of five-set matches, Novak Djokovic talked about Holger Rune's comeback at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, where despite losing the first two sets to qualifier Quentin Halys, the Dane managed to win the last three sets to ultimately take the match.

This year's grasscourt Major has seen a record-breaking 10 players make comebacks to win matches after losing the first two sets, which is a new record at SW19 in the Open era. The only tournament to surpass this feat was the 2002 Australian Open, which saw 14 such comebacks.

The Serb also stated that five-set matches provided players with a sense of "confidence" and "tranquility."

"Holger Rune was two sets to love down, still he's not out, he can still win. I think if you're physically fitter than your opponent or have more experience than your opponent in best-of-five, it still gives you a sense of confidence and tranquility, even though you're two sets to love down," he said.

Djokovic also expressed his support for continuing to play the best-of-five matches, especially in the later stages of Grand Slam tournaments.

"Throughout my career, I've had quite a few matches where I was coming back from two sets to love or two sets to one down. Winning record mostly, positive score in a fifth setter. I enjoyed those throughout my career . I think they're an important aspect of the history and of the future . I would support it, particularly in the latter stages of the Grand Slam," he added

Looking ahead, Novak Djokovic will take on Holger Rune in the fourth round of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The two players have met five times on the ATP Tour, with the Serb winning three of those encounters .