World Number One Aryna Sabalenka Endorses Five-Set Format for Women’s Grand Slam Rounds

Aryna Sabalenka backs a move to five-set matches for women at Grand Slams, while Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff raise concerns over player health and scheduling.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 5:40 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Straits Times

Sabalenka Champions Physical Challenge in Major Tournaments

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Indian Wells tournament, world number one Aryna Sabalenka expressed enthusiastic support for a shift toward longer matches in women’s tennis. The four-time Grand Slam champion suggested that moving to a best-of-five format from the quarter-finals onward would likely result in more titles for her, given her physical conditioning. According to Sabalenka, her body is well-prepared to handle the increased workload, and she believes the change would reward the strongest athletes on the tour. The proposal gained traction following comments from Craig Tiley, the newly appointed head of the U.S. Tennis Association, who argued that the sport must evolve to maintain audience interest as matches progress.

Swiatek Leads Opposition Citing Quality and Calendar Constraints

In contrast to Sabalenka’s position, six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek dismissed the proposal as a regressive move in a world that is increasingly favoring faster entertainment formats. Swiatek raised concerns regarding the potential decline in match quality over five sets and noted that the physical toll would necessitate a complete overhaul of the professional tennis calendar. According to Swiatek, the current training regimens and tournament schedules do not account for such a drastic increase in intensity during the season’s most prestigious events. She warned that the physical demands could lead to players participating in fewer tournaments overall, potentially damaging the tour's broader health.

Gauff and Pegula Raise Format and Scheduling Concerns

Reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff offered a more nuanced critique, stating that while she possesses the fitness to compete in longer matches, she finds the idea of changing formats mid-tournament problematic. Gauff argued that if a change were to be made, it should apply to the entire duration of a Grand Slam to ensure a level playing field from the first round. Meanwhile, world number five Jessica Pegula questioned the logistical feasibility of the plan, suggesting that the current tour schedule is already at a breaking point. According to Pegula, adding more sets would require extending the duration of tournaments, a move that could complicate fan experiences and broadcasting windows.