Zverev mocks Djokovic's Grand Slam format proposal, defends five-set tradition

Alexander Zverev, the 2026 champion of Roland Garros and the US Open, publicly rejected Novak Djokovic's proposal to shorten Grand Slam matches, arguing that the five-set format is essential to the prestige of tennis's major tournaments. Speaking after his first-round victory over Cameron Norrie at the Beijing ATP 500 on October 1, Zverev ironically suggested that Djokovic, now 39 years old, may support shorter matches because he is "getting a little older," implying the Serbian star's position has shifted with age.

Djokovic had proposed in August that Grand Slam scoring be modified to play to four games per set instead of six, potentially without advantage points, while maintaining best-of-five sets to keep matches within a two-hour window. Australian Open president Andrew Abdo had similarly advocated for format changes to "maximize commercial results" in the entertainment business. Zverev countered that shortening sets would undermine Grand Slam tradition and merely reduce them to the level of Masters 1000 tournaments.

"I don't know a single player who would like to play best-of-three sets. Yes, maybe Novak wants to play best-of-three because, of course, he is getting a little older now," Zverev stated. "I think if you asked him that 10 or 15 years ago, certainly not." He emphasized that the physical and mental demands of five-set play are what make Grand Slams "the most difficult thing to win in our sport" and that this extreme physical challenge is central to their value.

Zverev's criticism aligns with that of Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three, who has also publicly opposed reducing Grand Slam sets. Alcaraz argued that moving to best-of-three would "simply kill the legacy of the Grand Slams and kill the tournaments themselves." Both players pointed to rising television viewership and record attendance at recent Australian Opens and US Opens as evidence that the current format remains attractive to audiences, contradicting claims that longer matches deter younger viewers.

Currently, all four major tournaments—the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open—are played in best-of-five sets for men's singles competition. The debate reflects broader discussions within professional tennis about tournament scheduling and the sustainability of the current calendar for players.