John McEnroe suggests format change to Grand Slam tennis to boost entertainment value

Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

The French Open is just around the corner, and players from both the ATP and WTA Tours are gearing up for the second Grand Slam of the season.

As Paris prepares to host another clay-court spectacle, one familiar debate continues to circulate – whether or not women should also play best-of-five matches at Grand Slams.

Traditionally, men’s matches in majors have been played over five sets while women compete over three. However, there remains a section of fans who feel there’s no need to change that format for women.

John McEnroe has recently joined that conversation, weighing in alongside former WTA star Maria Sharapova.

McEnroe offers fresh take on Grand Slam structure

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup

Speaking on Rushmore, Sharapova was asked: “Why have they not changed, at least for the finals in the majors, women to be five sets?”

She answered: “Why would they? Would you want to watch that? You would want to watch from the first point to the last, women’s three-out-of-five? No chance. I don’t believe it.”

McEnroe followed up by saying: “They did do that for a few years in the women’s in Madison Square Garden, where they used to have the final eight top players for a couple years, two or three years.

“Like [Martina] Navratilova, I think [Monica] Seles, played best of five, and it wasn’t a total disaster. Not necessarily more competitive. But there’s a lot of times where a two-hour movie is better than a three-and-a-half-hour movie.”

The debate continued with Sharapova asking: “Don’t you think the quality will go down, like from the first set to the fifth set?”

“The endurance of men goes down also. A lot of times in the fifth set, guys are both tired,” McEnroe responded.

He added: “I believe that there should be best-of-five, where at two sets all there’s a 10-point breaker. That’s sort of a compromise.”

The American legend’s idea is an interesting one and could help solve one aspect of tennis’ ongoing format debates. However, significant changes like this are rarely implemented quickly.

Prize money debate overshadows format changes at Grand Slams

The focus for many players right now is less about format and more about the ongoing prize money dispute, with talk of a potential boycott gaining traction.

Elena Rybakina, currently ranked second on the WTA Tour, has shown support for a boycott, echoing similar sentiments previously raised by Aryna Sabalenka.

Many players inside the top 10 across both tours feel the current revenue split at major tournaments isn’t fair, but so far their push for change hasn’t led to any action.

Sam Querrey has suggested that any meaningful boycott would need broad support beyond just the top players if it’s going to have an impact.

Read more:

• Iga Swiatek joins elite group with Serena Williams after Rome win
• Who Venus Williams is partnering with at Roland Garros on her return after five years away
• How Andy Murray could help Jack Draper as part of his coaching team