Carlos Alcaraz firmly defends the best-of-five format at Grand Slams, warning it is essential to preserving their legacy. Speaking ahead of his title defence at the ATP 500 Japan Open in Tokyo, the World No.1 rejected proposals to shorten Grand Slam matches to best-of-three sets. “The Grand Slams are played best-of-five. If we take away that and play best-of-three, I think we’re killing the legacy of the Grand Slams and killing the Grand Slams,” Alcaraz stated emphatically. “We have been playing best-of-five matches at the Grand Slams since the very beginning, and I think that is what makes those tournaments different and special.”
Alcaraz’s comments come amid ongoing debates about player welfare and scheduling after his gruelling US Open quarterfinal against Ben Shelton ended at 3:33 am local time. The Spaniard endured visible physical distress during that match, even vomiting on court. He has repeatedly called for a reduction in the packed calendar, citing the relentless sequence of tournaments as a major factor contributing to injuries. “I would say the calendar. I’ve always said that it has to change. Playing a little bit less and not having that amount of tournaments in a row, week after week,” Alcaraz explained. “So I would change that, definitely, I would change that.”
The 23-year-old is currently competing in his third ATP 500 event of the season following the Qatar Open and Barcelona Open, where he suffered a wrist injury. The US Open marked his return to full fitness. Alcaraz’s coaching situation remains a topic of interest after his split last year with Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is set to return to the tour as a coach in 2027—though he has not revealed which player he will join. Alcaraz, who won 24 tour-level titles including his first six Grand Slams under Ferrero, expressed positivity about the former world No.1’s comeback. “I’m very happy that he’s coming back to the circuit. We’ll see each other. It will be great. It doesn’t matter who he coaches, I think it will be very good,” he said.
Ferrero previously coached Alexander Zverev, the season’s leading Major winner with French Open and US Open titles and a Wimbledon final appearance. Meanwhile, Alcaraz has yet to secure a Masters 1000 title in 2024, his only appearance at this level being a loss to Jannik Sinner at Monte Carlo. After Tokyo, Alcaraz will contest the Shanghai Masters, an event he skipped last year due to an ankle injury.
Alcaraz’s forthright defense of the best-of-five format and his candid critique of the tennis calendar underscore his commitment to preserving the sport’s traditions while advocating for necessary reforms to protect players’ health.
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