Novak Djokovic has called for a radical change to tennis scoring, proposing matches be capped at two hours. The 24-time Grand Slam champion suggested sets be shortened from six to four games, with the winner of a match taking three sets, and the abolition of the 'advantage' rule at 40-40.
Djokovic's proposal
Speaking on a podcast with Nick Koutrakos, Djokovic said: “I think tennis needs a new scoring system. Sets should not be played up to six games. I believe that a set should be played up to four games, with the possible abolition of the 'advantage' rule at 40:40. Matches would be played until someone wins three such shortened sets. That way, matches would not last longer than two hours, which, in my opinion, is best for everyone.”
The Serbian's proposal would mark a significant shift from a scoring system believed to date back over 500 years. Recent tweaks have already been made, including the introduction of tie-breaks in the 1970s and a 10-point final set tie-breaker in 2022, following the longest match in history at Wimbledon in 2020, where John Isner beat Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set after 11 hours and 5 minutes.
Immediate focus
Djokovic's immediate focus is on securing a 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open later this month. He is set to play in the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, his first appearance there since 2023. The US Open could also see the return of Carlos Alcaraz, who has missed the last two Grand Slams with a wrist injury, while British number one Jack Draper is set to return to action at the Canada Open. Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the tournament, announcing her decision on Monday evening.
