Alex Corretja, the former Grand Slam finalist from Spain, has put forward a provocative proposal to reshape the structure of tennis’s most prestigious tournaments. The best-of-three set format for the first three rounds of Grand Slam events would fundamentally alter how early matches are contested, according to Corretja’s suggestion.
A Fresh Take on Grand Slam Tradition
The Spanish player’s idea hinges on creating what he describes as greater dynamism in the opening week of major championships. By shortening early-round contests to best-of-three sets, Corretja argues that lower-ranked players would gain a realistic chance of upsetting top seeds—a dynamic currently constrained by the grueling nature of five-set matches. The proposal would preserve the traditional five-set format from the round of 16 onward, maintaining the epic physical and mental battles that define deep tournament runs.
Corretja articulated his reasoning clearly, emphasizing his respect for tennis’s established identity. “I like the epic nature of five sets. I think that’s what totally differentiates it from regular events. I could even consider that the first three matches – that is, the first week of the Grand Slam – perhaps to create a bit more dynamism and give players lower in the rankings a chance to upset those at the top,” Corretja said.
Preserving Grand Slam Identity
The suggestion walks a careful line between innovation and tradition. Rather than scrapping the five-set format entirely, Corretja’s approach would implement a tiered system where early-round competitors face compressed contests while the tournament’s inherent challenge intensifies as matches progress. This structure would theoretically reduce the physical toll on players navigating the opening rounds while introducing greater unpredictability to outcomes.
The proposal reflects ongoing conversations within professional tennis about tournament formats and player welfare, though it remains a suggestion at this stage rather than an official rule change under consideration by major tennis governing bodies.