[REVISION HISTORY]

Djokovic tennis scoring reform push

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-11 08:29 UTC → 2026-08-15 16:37 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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