Wimbledon breaks ages-long tradition as it shortens the men’s doubles format following Nick Kyrgios’ rant
Wimbledon joins the other three Grand Slams after shortening the men's doubles match to best-of-three format from the longer one.
Follow Us
Wimbledon
The Wimbledon Championships, commonly known as Wimbledon has announced its decision to change the men’s doubles format from best-of-five set to best-of-three. It will make Wimbledon the final Grand Slam to shorten men’s doubles matches as all the rest of the three Majors have moved to a best-of-three format already. The news has been received positively in the tennis world.
The decision has been taken because of some of the lengthy matches lasting over four hours. Last year’s men’s doubles final lasted over four hours as Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell won 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) against Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic. The earlier format has also deterred singles players to take part in the doubles.
“The decision was made following a wide-ranging consultation and the change brings Wimbledon into line with the other Grand Slams which stage the gentlemen’s doubles in a best-of-three format,” the All England Tennis Club said in a statement.
“This update will provide the referee’s office with greater certainty when scheduling matches during the event and we hope it will encourage even more players to enter doubles at Wimbledon as a result,” the statement further read.
Related: WTA founder Billie Jean King urges Wimbledon to reverse ban on Russian and Belarussian players
The best-of-five format of Wimbledon was criticized by many players including Nick Kyrgios
The format has been in news for the last couple of years for negative reasons. Many singles players have been put off in the past from playing long doubles matches at The Wimbledon Championships. The changed format will get a positive response from them.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios was the most prominent one in the criticism. He won the men’s doubles title at the 2022 Australian Open but withdrew from doubles at Wimbledon later to focus on singles.
“I think it is the stupidest thing ever. I don’t know why it is the best of five sets. No one wants to play best-of-five-set doubles, no one wants to watch best-of-five-set doubles,” Krgios said then.
Continue Reading:
Billie Jean King and the Orginal 9 get together for a special ceremony at the 2023 Australian Open
Stay Updated!
Abhinavendu Singh
(290 Articles Published)