Serena and Venus Williams commented on this current debate nearly 13 years ago.
Women not playing best of five set matches has been a hot topic for quite some time, but this debate was only heightened at the Australian Open this year.
This occurred when tournament director Craig Tiley proposed the idea of having five set matches from the Australian Open quarterfinals next year.
Tiley’s comments have divided opinion, but they may have actually garnered support from two of the greatest players ever in 2013.
What Serena and Venus Williams said when asked about playing best-of-five set matches
All four Grand Slams have had equal prize money since 2013, but this has sometimes divided opinion due to the different number of sets men and women play at the major tournaments.
This topic was brought up in an interview with Venus Williams, in 2013, but the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion did not appear to have any qualms about playing a longer format.
“Sure, not a problem,” Venus said at the time. “If we have to play best-of-three, we play best-of-three. If it’s best-of-five that’s fine too. Either way it’s not a problem.”
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Venus’ comments were relayed to her younger sister Serena later that year at the China Open, and the Williams sisters were certainly on the same page on this topic.
“Well, you know, the top players, the women, we always told the Grand Slams initially that we are willing, ready, and able to play the best‑of‑five if that was what made the difference between, at the time, equal prize money or match scheduling or whatever it took,” Serena said in her Beijing press conference.
“So, yeah, we’re all ready. I think not just me and Venus. Several other players that are willing to do whatever it takes.”
Coco Gauff disagreed with the Williams sisters
Nearly 13 years on from making these comments, women not playing best of five set matches is still a huge debate within tennis.
This has been broached with a number of top players, including two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff.
Gauff idolised the Williams sisters growing up, but she was not on the same page as them when asked about playing a longer format last year, despite admitting it could benefit her.
“It would favour me just from a physicality standpoint, but I do think it would kind of be a big change for the tour,” said Gauff. “I think it would be fine just keeping it like how it is.”
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Gauff is not the only active player to hold this view, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka also not keen on playing best of five sets.
Whether this actually ever becomes a reality is another conversation, but the US Open could actually jump the gun ahead of the Australian Open in terms of introducing a longer format for women.
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