Time to Restore Some Masters finals to 5 sets?

[Laurie]

One of my articles was published on Eurosport. I've been advocating a return to the 5 set final for certain finals like Miami and the year end championships for some time. Have a read and see if you agree or not. Read on...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/time-return-five-sets-140828543.html#more-id

We are into the fifth year of the revamped Masters 1000 series and the latest final in Miami between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray underlined why these showpieces really should be a best of five set affair as they were before 2008.

Etiene de Villiers, former Executive Chairman of the ATP Tour, pushed to have the Masters finals reduced due to player tiredness.

That appears a hollow excuse and has taken credibility away from the events.

If de Villiers really wanted to make a difference, he should have pushed harder to get the tennis season reduced to 10 months which would allow players to get a proper break but the ATP took the easy way out.

A few of the finals such as Miami, Indian Wells, Shanghai, Paris and the end of year ATP Tour finals could be restored to best of five sets to bring back some prestige to these events.

In the past, Super Nine and Masters finals were great preparation for up and coming players before winning Major titles.

Players of the calibre of Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Marat Safin, Thomas Muster all won best of five set Super Nine / Masters finals before claiming a Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic was the last player to win a best-of-five Masters event in 2007.

But Masters finals now no longer provide good preparation for Major success because they are like any other best-of-three set ATP tournament.

Vastly experienced players of the calibre of Andy Murray and Jo Wilfred Tsonga have never won a five set final in their entire career.

Traditionally Super Nine / Masters finals allowed players to find out more about themselves by trying different strategies and tactics at the level just below the Slams.

Some of the best matches ever played were at the Super Nine/Masters level in the finals.

However, over the past four years, there has not been many finals that can be considered memorable — over 40 finals in a four-year period.

Finals are usually quick straight sets affairs which are over in just over an hour to 90 minutes.

The interesting thing is that these short finals have coincided with yet another explosion of prize money, especially since 2008.

Spectators who attend the finals and television viewers who pay subscriptions to see these matches are getting short changed.

At the very least, the ATP should reconsider restoring the World Tour final to five sets.

Last year's final between Roger Federer and Tsonga was very good but it could have been a classic had it gone to five sets.

Previous ATP finals have finished way too quickly especially in 2008 and 2009 and a best of five set final would have been a fitting way to end the event.

A look back at of some of the great Super Nine / Masters finals:

1996 Stuttgart final — Becker defeated Sampras in five sets of great attacking tennis.

1996 ATP Tour final — Sampras defeated Becker in five sets. Widely regarded as the greatest indoor match of the Open era.

1995 Monte Carlo final — Muster denied Becker in five sets, Becker would never win a clay event.

1998 ATP Tour final — An all Spanish affair in Hanover with Alex Corretja defeating Carlos Moya in five sets.

2000 Miami final — Sampras defeated Kuerten in 210 minutes in an atmosphere reminiscent to a Davis Cup tie.

2002 Masters Cup final — Hewitt defeated Ferrero in five sets in Shanghai.

2005 Miami final — Federer came from two sets down to beat Nadal.

2005 Rome final — Nadal defeated Guillermo Coria in five sets.

2005 Masters Cup final — Nalbandian came from two sets down to beat Federer in four hours.

2006 Rome final — Federer lost to Nadal in a five hour battle — this was the beginning of the end for five-set finals at Masters level.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Speed up the court first, then we'll talk. It would become quite boring to watch countless 6 hour finals where every rally lasts far too long and both opponents wait eachother out.

 

[Hood_Man]

The matches would just take too long these days. It would be terrific to see a 5-6 hour 5 set masters final, but it would suck when both finalists inevitably pull out of the next event due to fatigue. It can take weeks to recover from a physically and emotionally gruelling match.

I'd like to see the WTF Final as a best of 5 match though.

 

[Laurie]

Speed up the court first, then we'll talk. It would become quite boring to watch countless 6 hour finals where every rally lasts far too long and both opponents wait eachother out.

I agree the courts should be speeded up and I wrote an article about that very subject just last month, I even got the ATP's views on the subject, unfortunately the spokesman I spoke to is definitely sold on slower courts, a mistake as far as I'm concerned.

But Nadal and Djokovic would not make every Masters final, especially the indoor ones, there's 3 of them on the calendar each year.

 

[TennisLovaLova]

5 sets for fast HC masters finals only imo. Clay? Dont know really...

I bet that in a very near future even GS non final matches will be on a best of 3 format.

 

[jokinla]

Yes, so we can watch Nadal and Djoker towel off for another hour, perfect.

 

[sonicare]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=404806

 

[woodrow1029]

ATP made a rule change to eliminate best of 5 set matches. I am assuming that there are many reasons why they would take measures so drastic as to totally eliminate the possibilty of a 5 set final. Maybe it's TV, maybe it's sponsors, I don't know. But it's not as simple as just having a few tournaments decide to do it. I don't think the ATP will change the rules again to allow 5 set matches.

 

[boredone3456]

When the ATP makes a rule change they do it for a reason. If they had shortened the season instead people would complain that they elimimated whole tournaments and they want more tennis. They shorten finals and people now complain they are boring or no prestige or whatever. Some people are never pleased but obviously the ATP has more on its plate then pleasing the TV audience. They make the choices to preserve as much as they can. They obviously had their reasons and I do not see them switching back.

 

[BevelDevil]

A best-of-4 with a tiebreaker as decider would be a great compromise for the players, audience and TV scheduling. A guaranteed 3-4 sets would prevent quick blowouts and prevent marathon matches.

 

[woodrow1029]

A best-of-4 with a tiebreaker as decider would be a great compromise for the players, audience and TV scheduling. A guaranteed 3-4 sets would prevent quick blowouts and prevent marathon matches.

Very few people would ever want to see a tournament decided by a final set tiebreaker. A lot of people haven't even accepted it in doubles yet, if it happened in singles, it would be terrible imo.

 

[kiki]

One of my articles was published on Eurosport. I've been advocating a return to the 5 set final for certain finals like Miami and the year end championships for some time. Have a read and see if you agree or not. Read on...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/time-return-five-sets-140828543.html#more-id

We are into the fifth year of the revamped Masters 1000 series and the latest final in Miami between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray underlined why these showpieces really should be a best of five set affair as they were before 2008.

Etiene de Villiers, former Executive Chairman of the ATP Tour, pushed to have the Masters finals reduced due to player tiredness.

That appears a hollow excuse and has taken credibility away from the events.

If de Villiers really wanted to make a difference, he should have pushed harder to get the tennis season reduced to 10 months which would allow players to get a proper break but the ATP took the easy way out.

A few of the finals such as Miami, Indian Wells, Shanghai, Paris and the end of year ATP Tour finals could be restored to best of five sets to bring back some prestige to these events.

In the past, Super Nine and Masters finals were great preparation for up and coming players before winning Major titles.

Players of the calibre of Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Marat Safin, Thomas Muster all won best of five set Super Nine / Masters finals before claiming a Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic was the last player to win a best-of-five Masters event in 2007.

But Masters finals now no longer provide good preparation for Major success because they are like any other best-of-three set ATP tournament.

Vastly experienced players of the calibre of Andy Murray and Jo Wilfred Tsonga have never won a five set final in their entire career.

Traditionally Super Nine / Masters finals allowed players to find out more about themselves by trying different strategies and tactics at the level just below the Slams.

Some of the best matches ever played were at the Super Nine/Masters level in the finals.

However, over the past four years, there has not been many finals that can be considered memorable — over 40 finals in a four-year period.

Finals are usually quick straight sets affairs which are over in just over an hour to 90 minutes.

The interesting thing is that these short finals have coincided with yet another explosion of prize money, especially since 2008.

Spectators who attend the finals and television viewers who pay subscriptions to see these matches are getting short changed.

At the very least, the ATP should reconsider restoring the World Tour final to five sets.

Last year's final between Roger Federer and Tsonga was very good but it could have been a classic had it gone to five sets.

Previous ATP finals have finished way too quickly especially in 2008 and 2009 and a best of five set final would have been a fitting way to end the event.

A look back at of some of the great Super Nine / Masters finals:

1996 Stuttgart final — Becker defeated Sampras in five sets of great attacking tennis.

1996 ATP Tour final — Sampras defeated Becker in five sets. Widely regarded as the greatest indoor match of the Open era.

1995 Monte Carlo final — Muster denied Becker in five sets, Becker would never win a clay event.

1998 ATP Tour final — An all Spanish affair in Hanover with Alex Corretja defeating Carlos Moya in five sets.

2000 Miami final — Sampras defeated Kuerten in 210 minutes in an atmosphere reminiscent to a Davis Cup tie.

2002 Masters Cup final — Hewitt defeated Ferrero in five sets in Shanghai.

2005 Miami final — Federer came from two sets down to beat Nadal.

2005 Rome final — Nadal defeated Guillermo Coria in five sets.

2005 Masters Cup final — Nalbandian came from two sets down to beat Federer in four hours.

2006 Rome final — Federer lost to Nadal in a five hour battle — this was the beginning of the end for five-set finals at Masters level.

Geez...didn´t you have enough after the Djokovic-Nadal final at AO? Imagine that nightmare every week¡¡¡

 

[Tony48]

I think best of 3 Masters is fine enough. The slams are grueling enough.

 

[jackson vile]

I think best of 3 Masters is fine enough. The slams are grueling enough.

The only problem is that you can't compare the masters, any best of 5 masters and WTF far outweigh those that were best of three.

ie Federer's best of 3 WTF titles don't add up to the ones that were best of 5

 

[kiki]

I think best of 3 Masters is fine enough. The slams are grueling enough.

There always were slams and the best tour stops had the finals best of 5, some even the semifinals.No excuse.Specially with those earnings they are making...

 

[Laurie]

Geez...didn´t you have enough after the Djokovic-Nadal final at AO? Imagine that nightmare every week¡¡¡

Hehe - I don't think they will continue meeting eachother over and over again at Masters level. To be fair they didn't meet in either Indian Wells or Miami, and are unlikely to meet in Cincinnati, Paris Bercy or at the 02 arena. They could meet on clay though.

 

[kiki]

Hehe - I don't think they will continue meeting eachother over and over again at Masters level. To be fair they didn't meet in either Indian Wells or Miami, and are unlikely to meet in Cincinnati, Paris Bercy or at the 02 arena. They could meet on clay though.

A RG final between them could make the 82 finals (Vilas/Wilander) look like a fast court best of three match

 

[Hood_Man]

A RG final between them could make the 82 finals (Vilas/Wilander) look like a fast court best of three match

They'd better set up some floodlights in the stadium for that one...

 

[Mainad]

I would like to see at least the final of a Masters and WTF played in best of 5 format. But, to be realistic, I can't ever see best of 5 coming back for non-Slam tournies while all the courts these days are so slow. The matches would take forever in some cases.

In the past, they could get away with it because the courts played much faster. But today's much slower surfaces would make best of 5 matches much longer and more gruelling affairs that would wear players out when they have to play again the next day. In fact, I guess this must have been a factor in deciding to switch to best of 3 for all non-Slam tournies.

Only the Slams can manage this now because the players get a day's rest between matches. This isn't the case in the Masters unless a player gets walkovers like Murray did in Miami.

In short, speed up the surfaces to pre-2008 levels and it would become feasible again. But today's slower surfaces in Masters tounaments where there is no day's rest to recover makes a return to 'the good old days' very unlikely!

 

[kishnabe]

They should make MC, Rome and Madrid 5 setter finals since Federer won't make the final anyways.

Nadal and Djokovic can slaughter each other knees.....and let others have a chance at a major.

 

[Crisstti]

That is a very good article

I at least would like to see the m1000 finals be played on a best of 5 format. Made them just seem like a bigger deal, and gave room to more epic matches.

 

[ledwix]

I can understand cutting back mid-season best of five matches, though it is still a huge disappointment.

But why the WTF? What reason do they have to not make the final a five-setter?

 

[jean pierre]

One of my articles was published on Eurosport. I've been advocating a return to the 5 set final for certain finals like Miami and the year end championships for some time. Have a read and see if you agree or not. Read on...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/time-return-five-sets-140828543.html#more-id

We are into the fifth year of the revamped Masters 1000 series and the latest final in Miami between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray underlined why these showpieces really should be a best of five set affair as they were before 2008.

Etiene de Villiers, former Executive Chairman of the ATP Tour, pushed to have the Masters finals reduced due to player tiredness.

That appears a hollow excuse and has taken credibility away from the events.

If de Villiers really wanted to make a difference, he should have pushed harder to get the tennis season reduced to 10 months which would allow players to get a proper break but the ATP took the easy way out.

A few of the finals such as Miami, Indian Wells, Shanghai, Paris and the end of year ATP Tour finals could be restored to best of five sets to bring back some prestige to these events.

In the past, Super Nine and Masters finals were great preparation for up and coming players before winning Major titles.

Players of the calibre of Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Marat Safin, Thomas Muster all won best of five set Super Nine / Masters finals before claiming a Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic was the last player to win a best-of-five Masters event in 2007.

But Masters finals now no longer provide good preparation for Major success because they are like any other best-of-three set ATP tournament.

Vastly experienced players of the calibre of Andy Murray and Jo Wilfred Tsonga have never won a five set final in their entire career.

Traditionally Super Nine / Masters finals allowed players to find out more about themselves by trying different strategies and tactics at the level just below the Slams.

Some of the best matches ever played were at the Super Nine/Masters level in the finals.

However, over the past four years, there has not been many finals that can be considered memorable — over 40 finals in a four-year period.

Finals are usually quick straight sets affairs which are over in just over an hour to 90 minutes.

The interesting thing is that these short finals have coincided with yet another explosion of prize money, especially since 2008.

Spectators who attend the finals and television viewers who pay subscriptions to see these matches are getting short changed.

At the very least, the ATP should reconsider restoring the World Tour final to five sets.

Last year's final between Roger Federer and Tsonga was very good but it could have been a classic had it gone to five sets.

Previous ATP finals have finished way too quickly especially in 2008 and 2009 and a best of five set final would have been a fitting way to end the event.

A look back at of some of the great Super Nine / Masters finals:

1996 Stuttgart final — Becker defeated Sampras in five sets of great attacking tennis.

1996 ATP Tour final — Sampras defeated Becker in five sets. Widely regarded as the greatest indoor match of the Open era.

1995 Monte Carlo final — Muster denied Becker in five sets, Becker would never win a clay event.

1998 ATP Tour final — An all Spanish affair in Hanover with Alex Corretja defeating Carlos Moya in five sets.

2000 Miami final — Sampras defeated Kuerten in 210 minutes in an atmosphere reminiscent to a Davis Cup tie.

2002 Masters Cup final — Hewitt defeated Ferrero in five sets in Shanghai.

2005 Miami final — Federer came from two sets down to beat Nadal.

2005 Rome final — Nadal defeated Guillermo Coria in five sets.

2005 Masters Cup final — Nalbandian came from two sets down to beat Federer in four hours.

2006 Rome final — Federer lost to Nadal in a five hour battle — this was the beginning of the end for five-set finals at Masters level.

1974 : Vilas beated Nastase in five sets in Kooyong, 6/4 in the last set.

 

[bluetrain4]

I remember when even regular tour events (250s, 500s) had best of 5 finals. I like it, at least some of the time.

I understand not having every Masters a best of 5. For example, the lead up to the French Open is pretty packed and having Monte Carlo, Rome, and Madrid all best of 5 might be too much. But, how about at least one of those 5 tournaments - Monte Carlo. That's the first Masters of the clay season and there is time to recover for the finalists.

Definitely Indian Wells since the conditions usually aren't blazingly hot or anything and since it's a good amount of time after the AO and before the FO.
I'd have no problems with Miami also being best of 5, but there are reasons not to - the fact that it immediately follows IW, the conditions are more hot and humid than IW.

I think the summer hard court Masters have been best of 3 much longer than the rest of the Masters, and I understand the reasons - by that time the season is getting longer, more wear and tear on the players, punishing hard courts at both events, often brutal hot and humid conditions, at least in Cincinnati, and the fact that players want to save themselves somewhat for the impending USO Open. So, I'd have the Montreal/Toronto and Cincinnati remain best of 3.

Fall indoor season should have at least one best of 5 Masters. Certainly Paris, and maybe Shanghai. Conditions are controlled, indoor play is a little bit faster thus quicker matches, and Slams are over, so there's no risk of a player wasting himself for a Slam (though some players may want to save themselves for YEC and Davis Cup finals).

So, of the 9 Masters I say definitely best of 5 at:

Indian Wells
Monte Carlo
Paris

Possible Best of 5 at:

Rome
Shanghai
Miami
(not all but possibly an additional 1 or 2 from this group)

No best of 5 at:

Cincy
Montreal/Toronto
Madrid

Overall 3-5 Masters with best of 5 and 4-6 best of 3.

I'm assuming the switch to best of 3 had a lot to do with TV.

 

[bjk]

I can understand cutting back mid-season best of five matches, though it is still a huge disappointment.

But why the WTF? What reason do they have to not make the final a five-setter?

I saw Fed asked about this, and he said the top 8 were asked this at WTF and he was the only one who supported a 5-set match. In fact the fans would have been disappointed if his Tsonga final hadn't lasted three sets.

Plus, if you've notice, the ATP really, really cares about the WTF. They advertise it a ton on the ATP site. It must be the only tournament wholly owned by ATP.

 

[BevelDevil]

Very few people would ever want to see a tournament decided by a final set tiebreaker. A lot of people haven't even accepted it in doubles yet, if it happened in singles, it would be terrible imo.

You're looking at it the wrong way.

I'm not saying to turn a best-of-five into a best-of-four with TB.

I'm saying turn a best-of-three into a best-of-four with TB. Big difference. There's more tennis, not less. I can't imagine any fan boycotting IW or Miami because they added a set of tennis. If anything, that would be a bigger draw.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

One of my articles was published on Eurosport. I've been advocating a return to the 5 set final for certain finals like Miami and the year end championships for some time. Have a read and see if you agree or not. Read on...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/time-return-five-sets-140828543.html#more-id

great article, Laurie.

the WTF final should definitely be a best-of-5 match (it's not even negociable !).
come on, it's the last tour match of the year, the conclusion of the season along with the DC final... please make a little effort before the holidays !

and for some of the masters-1000, it would be indeed nice to see best-of-5 finals back... especially when the schedule reasonnably allows it (no mandatory event starting right after).

another thing: i think the fact that top seeds systematically get a "1st round bye" in masters-1000 events is a underestimated improvement as regards the (supposed ?) issue of 'playing too much'... it also makes things easier than it was before.

 

[woodrow1029]

You're looking at it the wrong way.

I'm not saying to turn a best-of-five into a best-of-four with TB.

I'm saying turn a best-of-three into a best-of-four with TB. Big difference. There's more tennis, not less. I can't imagine any fan boycotting IW or Miami because they added a set of tennis. If anything, that would be a bigger draw.

It's not necessarily more tennis. You could have a great three set final that is 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, or you can have a crappy final that is 4 sets and a tiebreak with the score 6-2, 2-6, 6-1, 4-6, 10-3. I don't agree that 4 sets and a tiebreak would be good for tennis in any way. I understand what you were proposing, and I don't like the idea.

 

[woodrow1029]

I'm assuming the switch to best of 3 had a lot to do with TV.

Most likely, which is why I am sure the ATP changed their rules to prohibit 5 set matches.

 

[Sentinel]

great article, Laurie.

the WTF final should definitely be a best-of-5 match (it's not even negociable !).
come on, it's the last tour match of the year, the conclusion of the season along with the DC final... please make a little effort before the holidays !

and for some of the masters-1000, it would be indeed nice to see best-of-5 finals back... especially when the schedule reasonnably allows it (no mandatory event starting right after).

another thing: i think the fact that top seeds systematically get a "1st round bye" in masters-1000 events is a underestimated improvement as regards the (supposed ?) issue of 'playing too much'... it also makes things easier than it was before.

vive,
you must consider all the players, not just the tough ones. Consider those frail ones who consider the season to be too long, too heavy, too tough etc.

My feelings about Bo5 are a bit mixed since i've see too many one-sided ones. Even the Fed-Ferrer final at WTF some years back was a bore. Only is worth watching if it's close.

Do you think Nole and Nadal will be able to last a year if they had to play 5 sets in each final :twisted: ?

 

[woodrow1029]

One of my articles was published on Eurosport. I've been advocating a return to the 5 set final for certain finals like Miami and the year end championships for some time. Have a read and see if you agree or not. Read on...

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/tramlines/time-return-five-sets-140828543.html#more-id

Just curious why you didn't quote this from the ATP rulebook:

B. Matches – Number of Sets.​

1) Singles. All matches, including finals, shall be the best of three (3) tie-break sets.

That way, you could post the whole story and people would not think that it is just the tournaments, TV networks, or the players that decided that they want best of 3. It is not just that Miami, or WTF, or Paris, or others could decide to go to 5 set finals if they want to.

 

[celoft]

M1000 and WTF finals.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Do you think (...) Nadal will be able to last a year if they had to play 5 sets in each final :twisted: ?

are you trying to convince me even more about the need of Bo5 finals ?

 

[Talker]

Best of 5 would be good for the WTF final.
It's worth up to 1500 points now so that would distinguish the tournament more.

 

[Hood_Man]

I think crowds should start chanting "we want more!" over and over at the end of every final.

It might work...

 

[tudwell]

Best of 5 would be good for the WTF final.
It's worth up to 1500 points now so that would distinguish the tournament more.

Plus it's the last match of the year. Plenty of time to rest afterward!

 

[Seth]

You're looking at it the wrong way.

I'm not saying to turn a best-of-five into a best-of-four with TB.

I'm saying turn a best-of-three into a best-of-four with TB. Big difference. There's more tennis, not less. I can't imagine any fan boycotting IW or Miami because they added a set of tennis. If anything, that would be a bigger draw.

It's not necessarily more tennis. You could have a great three set final that is 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, or you can have a crappy final that is 4 sets and a tiebreak with the score 6-2, 2-6, 6-1, 4-6, 10-3. I don't agree that 4 sets and a tiebreak would be good for tennis in any way. I understand what you were proposing, and I don't like the idea.

I'm with Woodrow. I'd rather have best 2-out-of-3 than have a match tiebreak. I'm one of those guys that thinks doubles should still have a full third set. If I had my druthers, I'd prefer best-of-five in all Masters finals.

 

[Fate Archer]

One of the biggest reasons that I'm not seeing mentioned as to why the best of 5 format in masters final was dropped is because whoever goes into the final will be more fatigued for the next upcoming tournament(s).

In 2006, the year of epic best of 5 masters finals, Federer and Nadal both played a 4 setter final in MC with two tiebreaks, and an epic 5 setter in Rome which ended in a tiebreak as well. That's 9 sets of tennis in just two finals/matches.

Both had to skip Hamburg that year to recover. That experience shows that making several masters finals best of 5 will make the stars, which the tournament directors and sponsors are mainly interested in their events, have to skip other equally important events or play and potentially exit the tournament in the first couple of rounds, which is not very productive for the tournament interests.

No tournament holder and sponsors want their events deprived of star power, so one of the big reasons the best of 3 format became the norm was probably to stop this cannibalizing effect with regards to the stars playing just some events and skipping others to prevent injuries and recover.

Now everything is best of 3, and most top players have to play every masters event by rule, with few exceptions, and with that every stakeholder is happy now.

With all that said, I wish some select tournaments could go back to the best of 5 format in the final, like the WTF. A best of 5 as the last match at the end of the year feels really convenient, both on timing since there would be the off-season to recover and it would have a stronger meaning as "only the one who wants most will want to come out on top on their last match, as the grueling tennis season end".

 

[PONG]

As a fan it would be nice if all MS events were best of 5 sets finals but events such as IW, Miami and the clay masters put too much strain on the players. The MC should be 5 sets no questions.

 

[Paul Murphy]

Definately the WTF - best of three for the season ender is inadequate.

 

[jackson vile]

Definately the WTF - best of three for the season ender is inadequate.

Right, we really can't compare WTF that was best of 3 with WTF that was best of 5. They aren't the same.

 

[veroniquem]

I miss the best of 5 finals and I also think WTF should be all 5 set matches.

 

[Sentinel]

Right, we really can't compare WTF that was best of 3 with WTF that was best of 5. They aren't the same.

But haven't you and your buddies been saying that the WTF in which Sir Rafa did reach the final, he was too tired from the 3 set semi. So do you seriously want a Bo5 ?

 

[VOLLEY KING]

But haven't you and your buddies been saying that the WTF in which Sir Rafa did reach the final, he was too tired from the 3 set semi. So do you seriously want a Bo5 ?

It's not about Rafa......it's about playing real tennis by the original rules rather than shortening the matches so promoters can make more $$$$.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

WTF should certainly be a best of five. I am not sure why they don't. It is the final match of the season, unless that player will also do Davis Cup, but even then, the player has many days to rest.

The others I am not sure of. Maybe IW and Miami can be best of five, since there are a few days off between those events and even post Miami. Not sure about the clay, with the clay swing already intensely packed with so many events with almost no rest if you are among the top players.

Canada and Cincy, just don't see it happening. But maybe Shanghai, it is possible.

Paris would probably be a no, since there is now no rest week between that and WTF.

In reality, as much as I love tennis, these guys are already ruined when we get to the US Open playing best of three in Masters. Best of five, and many would be slaughtered with numerous injuries.

 

[Sentinel]

It's not about Rafa......it's about playing real tennis by the original rules rather than shortening the matches so promoters can make more $$$$.

You really have to stop confusing yourself with jackson vile You may be the same person, but you *are* two separate accounts.

 

[Paul Murphy]

Right, we really can't compare WTF that was best of 3 with WTF that was best of 5. They aren't the same.

Not quite sure what point you're trying to make.
I'm not comparing anything.
My comment is simply that the WTF should be best of five. Got it now?

 

[sbengte]

But haven't you and your buddies been saying that the WTF in which Sir Rafa did reach the final, he was too tired from the 3 set semi. So do you seriously want a Bo5 ?

They just want Bo5 for the final. Sir Rafa hasn't lost a Bo5 to Rodger for over 5 years now. He would have found a way to win that WTF final against Rodger had it been Bo5.

 

[jackson vile]

They just want Bo5 for the final. Sir Rafa hasn't lost a Bo5 to Rodger for over 5 years now. He would have found a way to win that WTF final against Rodger had it been Bo5.

It is about returning the WTF and other tournments back to what they are supposed to be. No way that we can seriously sit here and compare Federer's WTF to someone like Sampras, Lendl, etc.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

It is about returning the WTF and other tournments back to what they are supposed to be. No way that we can seriously sit here and compare Federer's WTF to someone like Sampras, Lendl, etc.

i find you a bit harsh with lendl... it's true he only had to play 3 matches to get the 1982 masters title and only 4 matches to get the 1985 one (it was a direct elimination draw for those editions), but they are still prestigious titles, and his 5 year-end masters are one of his most impressive records.