Andy Murray throws his support behind Novak Djokovic’s notion of 3-sets format at Grand Slams

Andy Murray throws his support behind Novak Djokovic’s notion of 3-sets format at Grand Slams

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray & Novak Djokovic

One of the most significant differences between a Grand Slam tournament and other tennis events is the set format. While the Grand Slams follow a more traditional five-set format, other events feature a lesser taxing three-set matches.

Despite the five-setter being a norm of Grand Slams, many tennis players are now calling for a change. Former World No.1, Andy Murray joins the growing chorus of tennis players, which includes Novak Djokovic, in supporting a three-setter over five-set format.

It’s just so long: Murray on five-set matches

Andy Murray favors three-setters

Andy Murray favors the elimination of five-setters because of match duration.

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“As a fan, unless you have tickets in the stadium on a normal weekday so like a Monday to Friday, you can’t really plan to sit and watch that match because it’s just so long…” Murray said.

The Brit also highlighted the how the different types of fans prefer either format, “There’s obviously the more traditional fans who’d prefer the best-of-5 but for like younger kids growing up, the way people are consuming their sport now is a little bit different.” 

Traditionally, a Grand Slam match that goes into a fifth set is considered an ‘epic’. However, Murray refused to accept that notion, “Sometimes, the best-of-5 matches, like the first 2 and a half sets might be very average tennis. It’s never always good tennis. But then, sometimes, people mistake a great tennis match for a match that was just very very long.”

He goes on say how 3-setter matches are of higher quality than a 5-setter one.

“The players know that you can give everything for every point on a best-of 3 match. Whereas you might go down 4-0 in a set in a best-of-5 match and then you don’t give your best effort the next 15-20 minutes because you’re conserving energy. You would never do that in a best-of-3,” Murray concludes.

Also Read: Hardcourt surface is a contributing factor in Rafa’s struggles at ATP Finals: Andy Murray