Is it time for the slams to allow the women to play Best of 5? Even at least in the SF or Final? (Poll in thread)

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Yes, from 4R onwards. Matches between contenders should be BO5 for more effort. Schedulers should be able to manage it.

 

[Jonesy]

Always, the weak ladies era has ended, they can handle. Women are a lot toughter than men.

 

[helterskelter]

I'm not about being B05 all tournament long as there's no point watching those early round demolitions go 3 sets like they do on the mens tour (Tomic match anyone?). I would like it in the final, you sometimes don't get much of a chance to find your groove in 2 sets as we saw with Serena but who knows if they went to a 3rd set, might have seen a cool fight in the match instead of domination by Halep. And it wouldn't impact male scheduling since the men's final is on the next day. Just gives more value for the people who buy tickets for the final.

I think it'd be good for the tour in the long run to have best of five throughout the tournament. This would encourage players to develop their fitness and strategy further. It would also be helpful symbolically in discouraging the sort of male supremacism that is so common on this board (and elsewhere). I'm glad you posted this topic. A female friend of mine was complaining to me yesterday about how unfair it is that they don't let the women play best of five.

 

[darkhorse]

To me, ultimately it's up to the players themselves. At majors/joint tournaments I could see there being a scheduling issue, but that's maybe the only real obstacle beyond getting a consensus from the players. No reasonable person can doubt women's ability to play Bo5, and as OP pointed out tradition isn't exactly as concrete as one would think. But as a tennis fan, it makes no difference to me.

 

[Red Rick]

I don't think you should let them play Bo5 the full tournament without first trying it from the semi's onwards. This way you can try it out without having any scheduling issues.

 

[Italian Stallion]

Women can't play BO5 the whole tournament. They are just bluffing. Some of them will fall apart physically. My proposal: BO5 in the semi-final, if the first two sets are shared. BO5 in the final.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Best get used to the best players from China

Some of them aren't bad looking so I could live with that

 

[Airspun]

All grand Sam Long