The Australian Open 2025 is in full swing. The men will play in the usual best-of-five mode at the first Grand Slam of the year. The ladies need two winning sets. Should this change in the future? Tennis legend Mats Wilander speaks plainly.
For the men, “under no circumstances should we play in best-of-3 mode,” Mats Wilander made it clear to “Eurosport”. The Swede suggested: “Rather, it’s time for women to start playing in best-of-five mode.” At the same time, he was aware that the latter would bring challenges when planning the tournament.
Wilander won a total of seven Grand Slam titles during his active tennis career. The 60-year-old knows what makes the major format so special.
“But it’s clear to me: It has to stay with best-of-five for the men, because it makes a big difference,” argued the TV expert and explained: “The big players win these games, the good ones can also play over five Put pressure on sentences.”
Ex-tennis star: “Best of five is part of the skill set”
Wilander made it clear that he doesn’t believe in a shorter format for Grand Slam tournaments, which there are always loose ideas about. The former world number one receives support from ex-tennis professional Tim Henman.
“Best of five is part of the skill set. You saw it with Basavareddy, who played two phenomenal sets against Djokovic, but then was finished,” said the Brit on “Eurosport”. Henman was referring to the first round game at the Australian Open. Basavareddy won the first set against the big favorite 6:4, but ultimately had to admit defeat 6:4, 3:6, 4:6, 2:6.
The best-of-five mode is also “a very important part of the tradition and history of the Grand Slams,” said Henman, who won a total of eleven individual titles on the ATP tour during his active career. However, the now 50-year-old was denied a Grand Slam triumph.