Imagine the intensity of a Grand Slam final stretched to its absolute limit—five grueling sets of tennis. Sounds thrilling, right? But here's where it gets controversial: the Australian Open is considering making this a reality for women’s matches, starting in 2027. While the idea has sparked debate, one of the sport’s biggest stars, Iga Swiatek, isn’t holding back her thoughts. The world No. 2 bluntly stated, ‘I don’t think it makes a lot of sense.’ Let’s dive into why this proposal has the tennis world buzzing—and why Swiatek’s stance might just be the tip of the iceberg.
This year’s Australian Open women’s final between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka was a masterpiece of high-quality tennis, with Rybakina clinching the title in a tightly contested three-set battle that lasted two hours and 18 minutes. The match left fans on the edge of their seats, proving that women’s tennis is as thrilling as ever. And this is the part most people miss: despite the undeniable excitement, tournament director Craig Tiley dropped a bombshell after the final, suggesting that women’s matches could shift to a best-of-five format from the quarterfinals onward by 2027. The proposal has since ignited a fiery debate within the tennis community.
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion and vocal critic of the WTA’s demanding schedule, didn’t mince words when asked about the idea. ‘With the world speeding up, I don’t really think it makes sense for us to play such long matches,’ she explained. Her concern? Maintaining the high quality of play over an extended period. ‘It would be tough to keep the quality up throughout the whole match,’ she added. Swiatek also pointed out the logistical nightmare this change could create, from player preparation to scheduling. ‘The whole season would change,’ she noted, ‘and there would be many more questions about the scheduling.’
Interestingly, Swiatek acknowledged that her endurance-based game might give her an edge in longer matches, but she admitted, ‘Honestly, I’ve never played such a long match, so I have no idea how my body would react.’ This uncertainty highlights a broader issue: the physical toll of best-of-five matches on women’s bodies, which are already pushed to the limit by the current schedule.
Here’s the bold question: Is this proposal a step forward for gender equality in tennis, or does it overlook the unique challenges women players face? Swiatek’s criticism of the WTA schedule isn’t new—she’s been one of its harshest critics for years. Her opposition to best-of-five matches feels like a natural extension of her concerns about player welfare. But not everyone agrees. Some argue that longer matches could elevate the sport’s prestige and provide new opportunities for dramatic comebacks and epic battles.
As Swiatek prepares to return to action in Doha, the debate rages on. Her quarterfinal loss to Rybakina at this year’s Australian Open in straight sets might seem unrelated, but it underscores the unpredictability of tennis—even in shorter formats. And now, the controversial question: Should women’s tennis embrace the best-of-five format, or is it a change that risks more than it rewards? Weigh in below—let’s keep the conversation going!
