Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy following his victory against Russia's Daniil Medvedev in their men's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2022. - -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by MARTIN KEEP/AFP via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal won a gruesome battle in the 2022 Australian Open that led to more debate about the number of sets in a Grand Slam
The 2022 Australian Open was won by Rafael Nadal after an epic comeback from the Spaniard.
This was Nadal’s 21st Grand Slam, a record, however, it could have been a different story. Daniil Medvedev was up two sets to none and could have won the match had he been a little better in the third set.
Nadal displayed exceptional perseverance to mount a comeback and win the Slam in five sets.
This was another epic in the list of Grand Slams finals, and Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam winner has backed calls for five sets to remain in these events.
Some have called for men’s tennis matches to feature a best-of-three format, like the women’s, but Evert thinks otherwise.
The debate for three sets and not five in Slams is an interesting one. Some fans believe that five sets takes a toll on the stars and we have seen stars like Nadal and Roger Federer have to deal with injuries thanks to extended hours on the courts.
There are other issues too with Novak Djokovic, who has 20 Grand Slams to his name, backing two-out-of-three sets, even though a best of five is the tradition.
“I am more a proponent of two-out-of-three everywhere, even though of course Slams have always been best-of-five.”
However, tennis might have to think of the audiences too. The newer generation has a shorter attention span and with tennis matches going five hours in some finals, many might lose interest or just watch the final set.
Many sports have resorted to shorter formats with cricket taking up the T20 route. A three-set Grand Slam would be great for the players, since they would not have to exert their bodies as much as they do now.
However, the question remains, would Grand Slams feel the same being three sets?
More Tennis news
Follow our dedicated Tennis page for instant Tennis news and updates
