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4 clusters · 33 sources · 12 days · First seen · Last updated

Djokovic tennis scoring reform push

Overview

Serbian champion Novak Djokovic used the Fanatics Fest event in early August 2026 to propose a major overhaul of tennis scoring. He suggested sets be played to four games instead of six, eliminate the advantage rule at 40‑40, retain a best‑of‑five‑set format and aim to keep matches within a two‑hour window. Djokovic cited the four‑game format trialled at the ATP Next Gen Finals as precedent and argued the change would make the sport more appealing to younger audiences and TV-friendly.

He reiterated the idea in an interview with content creator Nick Coutracos, adding a single deciding “golden” point at 40‑40. The proposal drew criticism from 19‑year‑old Brazilian João Fonseca, who said it reflected Djokovic’s aging physique and ignored tennis tradition, while American Ben Shelton expressed curiosity about testing the format.

Adding to the debate, former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters expressed opposition to the plan. While acknowledging the broadcasting benefits of shorter matches, Clijsters argued that long, multi-hour matches are a defining feature of Grand Slam tennis. She proposed a compromise where shorter formats could be used in early tournament rounds, while preserving the traditional best-of-five format for later stages to maintain tactical and physical intensity.

Further criticism has emerged from former player Julien Benneteau, who compared the proposal to shortening a football match to ten minutes or removing the initial stages of the Tour de France. Benneteau argued that the inherent drama of tennis relies on the build-up and tension provided by long matches. Additionally, former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov criticized the proposal as “absurd” and “nonsense,” expressing concern that such changes would sacrifice the essential competitive identity of the sport.

Entities

Novak Djokovic · Fanatics Fest · Nick Coutracos · French Open · Ben Shelton

Timeline

  1. about 17 hours ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Tennis legends debate proposed changes to scoring and rules

    Tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, and Andy Murray are debating potential rule changes, ranging from shortened set formats to the removal of the service let rule.

  2. 6 days ago

    [SPORTS] 6 sources
    Novak Djokovic's tennis match shortening proposal sparks debate

    Novak Djokovic’s proposal to shorten tennis matches to under two hours has met resistance from Kim Clijsters and Julien Benneteau, who argue that long-format matches are essential to the sport's drama.

  3. 10 days ago

    [SPORTS] 10 sources
    Novak Djokovic calls for shorter tennis sets, draws criticism

    Novak Djokovic proposes reducing sets to four games to shorten matches; Brazilian youngster João Fonseca says it reflects Djokovic’s aging, sparking debate across the tennis world.

  4. 12 days ago

    [SPORTS] 16 sources
    Novak Djokovic pushes for tennis scoring overhaul to cut match length

    Novak Djokovic proposes four‑game sets, no advantage and best‑of‑five format to keep tennis matches under two hours, citing the Next Gen Finals as a model.

Sources

cachedata.sport.sk · conteudos.cnnbrasil.com.br · cronachedi.it · danas.rs · eldiariony.com · elsesports.cat · esporte.ig.com.br · esportenaredemt.com.br · essentiallysports.com · europa.pravda.sk · focus-news.bg · hellomagazin.rs · hoffmann-und-campe.de · info.delo.si · lapresse.it · larazon.es · livetennis.it · mondo.rs · neuroblastoma.org · nova.rs · okdiario.com · puntodebreak.com · sport.fr · sport.pl · sport1.pl · sportskeeda.com · tenis.net.pl · tenisbrasil.uol.com.br · tenniswebmagazine.it · tocka.com.mk · volley24.pl · welovetennis.fr · zurnal.pravda.sk

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history