Key Takeaways
- Juan Carlos Ferrero predicted that best-of-five set matches at Grand Slams will soon become a thing of the past.
- John Isner and Sam Querrey disagreed on the Nothing Major Show, arguing the vast majority of players support keeping the five-set format.
- The discussion follows recent late-night finishes at the US Open, including a quarterfinal between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz ending at 3:33 a.m.
American veterans reject proposal to end five-set matches
Former Wimbledon semifinalists John Isner and Sam Querrey have pushed back against the suggestion that men’s Grand Slam matches should be shortened. Their remarks came in response to former world number one and 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, who recently suggested that best-of-five set contests at the majors will soon disappear.
Addressing the topic on the Nothing Major Show, Isner firmly rejected the idea that competitors want shorter encounters at tennis’s biggest events. Explaining that shorter formats might have favored players with his style, Isner emphasized that the tradition should remain untouched: “It can’t go anywhere.”
Querrey agreed with his compatriot’s assessment, estimating that roughly 98 percent of players inside the top 100 would vote in favor of keeping the traditional format. He underscored the physical demands required to win major titles and argued that endurance battles are vital to the identity of the sport.
The enduring debate over major tournament scheduling
The conversation around match length gained momentum following dramatic, marathon fixtures at the US Open, including a quarterfinal clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton that concluded at 3:33 a.m. local time, marking the latest finish in the tournament’s history.
While late-night sessions have raised logistical challenges for organizers, Querrey maintained that overcoming top competitors across extended matches represents the ultimate challenge in men’s tennis, arguing against reducing the length of contests at the four majors.
