Novak Djokovic calls for four huge rule changes to transform tennis in major overhaul | Tennis | Sport
Novak Djokovic has had few equals in the game while working his way to a record 24 grand slam titles. However, even he isn’t afraid to suggest ways in which his sport can be improved as a spectacle. Djokovic is still going strong at the age of 39, reaching the semi-finals at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. He has played during a period of change in the sport, with tweaks including changes to tie-break rules at SW19 and elsewhere. More adaptation could still follow and, when pressed on the matter, the Serb offered up some ideas.
When interviewed by Nick Knows Ball, Djokovic was asked for a tennis take which he would die on a hill for. However, he gave not just one but four. “We should change the format of the scoring,” the Serb began. “Not play up to six games in a set [but] play up to four. Possibly no ad, best of five sets, keep the matches within a two hour window. It’s best for everyone.” For those keeping score, that’s 1) fewer games per set, 2) removing advantage in games, 3) making all tournaments best of five sets and 4) a two-hour window for matches.
A number of fans were impressed with Djokovic’s willingness to put his neck on the line.”Scorching hot take from the goat. Nole is our man,” one wrote.
“Novak gets it,” another reply read. “Having matches in a 2-3 hour window will make the sport more popular. Yes five-hour classics are awesome but not suited for TV or younger viewers.”
However, not everyone agreed. “Younger him would argue with older him, this format only benefits HIM currently, not anyone else,” one argued.
While Djokovic hasn’t won a Slam since the 2023 US Open, he has remained competitive in the world’s biggest tournaments. He has made it to the semis or beyond in eight of the 11 since, reaching the final at Wimbledon in 2024 and at the Australian Open this year.
The period has been dominated by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who each have five Grand Slam titles to their name since the start of 2024. Speaking to The Shop at Fanatics Fest, Djokovic opened up on how tough it is to go up against the two stars, both of whom are more than a decade his junior.
“I want to kick their a** every day of the week,” the veteran said. “But to be honest, when I see them play, there are contrasting styles with [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal, really contrasting styles. I showed up as well, different. Three of us, we were all different.
“And now with Alcaraz and Sinner being the dominant force in tennis, these two guys remind me of myself so much. I’m like: ‘I’m playing myself from 10/15 years ago’, and it kind of hurts me to feel that on the court. I mean, I know how to crack the code, but can I?”
