LONDON – Top ranked Aryna Sabalenka didn’t want women’s tennis to move into the final five sets of matches in the Grand Slam tournament, fearing the risk of higher injuries, like men’s play.
“It probably benefits me as I’m probably one of the strongest physically. But I don’t think I’m ready to play five sets,” Sabalenka said Monday following a two-set first-round victory at Wimbledon.
“I think it’s too much for a woman’s body. I don’t think I’m ready for this amount of tennis. I think it’s going to increase the amount of injuries.
Women play three sets in every tournament. Men play the best five format in the Grand Slam tournament and the best format in the other three bests.
There is no broad movement for change, but that’s an occasional topic – if women’s tennis needs to move to the top five in the late stages of major tournaments.
Sabalenka was asked about the French Open Final, in which Carlos Alcaraz beat Janik Thinner in a five-setter that lasted five hours.
“For those watching, it’s amazing to see five hours of great tennis,” Sabalenka said. “But I’m not really jealous of staying there for five hours as a player. I don’t know how many days it will take for them to recover after that crazy game.”
No. 2 ranked Cocogoff expressed similar sentiment on Saturday about the top five sets.
“It would prefer me from a physical perspective, but I think it will be a huge change for the tour.
Sabalenka beat 194th-ranked Carson Branstin 6-1, 7-5 on Monday in 73 minutes.
