Wimbledon cut men's doubles matches to best-of-three sets from best-of-five sets following Nick Kyrgios criticism
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ByEurosport
Published 25/01/2023 at 18:47 GMT
Wimbledon has made a change to the men's doubles format at the Grand Slam, cutting matches from best-of-five sets down to best-of-three sets. The move will likely receive a positive reception from singles players who might have been put off in the past from playing long doubles matches at the event. Nick Kyrgios said last year that having best-of-five sets doubles was the "stupidest thing ever".
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Wimbledon will become the final Grand Slam to shorten men’s doubles matches from best-of-five sets to best-of-three sets from this year’s tournament.
The grass court tournament was the only remaining Grand Slam to play five-set doubles matches, but will now fall into line with the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.
Last year’s men’s doubles final at Wimbledon lasted over four hours as Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell won 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 4-6 6-4 7-6(2) against Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic.
The 2019 final was also a lengthy match that clocked in at four hours and 46 minutes.
"The decision was made following a wide-ranging consultation and the change brings Wimbledon into line with the other Grand Slams which stage the gentlemen's doubles in a best-of-three format," the All England Tennis Club said in a statement.
"This update will provide the referee's office with greater certainty when scheduling matches during the event and we hope it will encourage even more players to enter doubles at Wimbledon as a result."
Best-of-five set doubles has been criticised in the past for dissuading singles players from entering due to the potential length of matches.
Nick Kyrgios won the men’s doubles title at the 2022 Australian Open but withdrew from doubles at Wimbledon last summer to focus on singles.
"I think it is the stupidest thing ever," he said about the best-of-five set doubles format at the time.
"I don't know why it is best of five sets. No-one wants to play best-of-five-set doubles, no one wants to watch best-of-five-set doubles."
All other formats at Wimbledon will remain the same.
Former world No. 5 and Eurosport commentator Jo Durie said about the change to the men’s doubles: “Great to hear the men’s doubles at Wimbledon will now be three sets instead of five. Might encourage more singles players to play.”
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