The second Grand Slam of the year at the French Open has already made headlines after getting underway.
Rafael Nadal’s farewell ceremony was the talking point of day one, as the 14-time Grand Slam champion received a huge ovation from the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
After the former world number one waved an emotional goodbye, Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Sonego took centre stage in a thrilling five set match.
While Shelton survived an early scare, his compatriot Emma Navarro made unwanted history in her opening match in Paris.
Rick Macci calls for all Grand Slam matches to be played best of three sets
Including Shelton beating Sonego, there were four men’s singles matches on day one of the French Open that went to five sets.
While this is often a spectacle for spectators at Grand Slam tournaments, Rick Macci, who is the former coach of the Williams sisters, believes that maybe it is time for a change.
Grand Slam tournaments are now the only event where men play best-of-five sets, and Macci believes that even the players would want to switch to best-of-three sets.
“Should MAJORS be 2 out 3. Most every player would say YES,” Macci said on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Game is more violent and movement is pinball on steroids. Players get injured easier and the toll it takes on the body even though sports science pre-lab is helps prevent rehab.”
The tennis calendar is often criticised for being too busy for players, suggesting that players could be behind Macci’s claim.
What has Novak Djokovic said about playing best of three sets at Grand Slams
This topic of best-of-five set tennis was brought to Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals in 2020.
Despite winning more major titles than any other player in history playing best-of-five set matches, Djokovic also was in favour of men’s matches at Grand Slams shortening.
“I am more of a proponent of best-of-three sets everywhere,” Djokovic said in his press conference back in 2020. “You asked me why. I just feel that we have enough tournaments, enough matches during the year.
“We have the longest season of all sports, any sport in the world. Tennis has the longest season from January 1 to end of November. Literally every single week you have a tournament somewhere.
“I don’t see a reason why we should play best-of-five, even though of course there is a historical reason and it has been always that way, so it’s a tradition.
“But I just, yeah, I don’t know, I just feel like the attention span as well of the fans, especially the younger generation, is shorter. So in order for us to really improve the product, so to say, of tennis, you know, I think commercially and marketing-wise I feel like we have to adapt to that younger generation.”
That has not changed since Djokovic made this statement, and he will now look to win a 25th Grand Slam at the French Open.
Djokovic will get his campaign underway against Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday May 27.
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