Djokovic's format proposal draws scepticism from Julien Benneteau
Former world No. 25 Julien Benneteau says shortened sets would rob tennis of its built-up drama.
Novak Djokovic's recent suggestion to change the structure of professional tennis matches has reignited debate across the sport. Djokovic proposed shorter sets — played to four games — possibly removing advantage at 40:40, with the match decided by the first player to win three sets.
Not everyone believes this would improve tennis. Julien Benneteau, the former world No. 25 who is now France's captain in the Billie Jean King Cup, voiced his reservations in an interview, arguing that shortening matches risks losing the gradual tension that builds through a contest.
Drama versus immediacy
Benneteau conceded the point that early games in a set can sometimes feel slow for spectators, and that some viewers might prefer matches that feel tense from the outset. "I am aware that sometimes people get bored with the first few games and that it would be interesting for them to be tense right away," Benneteau said.
Still, the Frenchman pushed back on the idea that trimming matches is the right fix to make tennis more TV-friendly or more appealing to younger audiences with shorter attention spans. He used comparisons to other sports to make his case, warning that cutting out the journey undermines the meaning of the outcome.
"Does that mean football should be cut to ten minutes? Or that the Tour de France should immediately have the final climb of 15 kilometres without the previous 150? Of course not, because that would make no sense. Tennis matches should have drama before the finale. Do we really want 15-minute sets?" he asked, encapsulating his view that tension and momentum earned over time are central to the sport.
Photo: Австралијан Опен Х
