Novak Djokovic calls for tennis rules to be scrapped - 'Best for all'

Novak Djokovic has proposed an overhaul of the tennis scoring system that would see matches last for no longer than two hours. The suggestion also included the scrapping of the ‘advantage’ at 40-40.

The 39-year-old also wants sets reduced from the first to six games to the first to four, with the winner taking the best of five sets, as it is at Grand Slams. The change would be a major one to a scoring system that is thought to date back over 500 years.

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When asked by podcaster Nick Koutrakos what one of his opinions about tennis that he will always defend, Djokovic said: “I think tennis needs a new scoring system.

“Sets should not be played up to six games. I believe that a set should be played up to four games, with the possible abolition of the 'advantage' rule at 40:40.

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“Matches would be played until someone wins three such shortened sets. That way, matches would not last longer than two hours, which, in my opinion, is best for everyone.”

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There have been some tweaks to scoring in recent years. In the 1970s, tie-breaks were introduced into sets to stop them from being overly long. In 2022, a 10-point final set tie-breaker was also introduced.

The new tie-breaker was introduced after the longest match in history at Wimbledon in 2020. John Isner eventually came out 70-68 fifth set winner over Nicolas Mahut, with the match lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes.

The same scenario won’t happen again, but matches could be even shorter if Djokovic gets his way.

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For the Serbian, the immediate focus will be on securing that elusive 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open later this month. In the build-up to the tournament, it has been announced that he will play in the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, his first appearance in the tournament since 2023.

The US Open could see the return of Carlos Alcaraz, who has missed the last two Grand Slams with a wrist injury. British number one Jack Draper could also make his major return in the US, with him returning to action in the Canada Open this week but there will be no Emma Raducanu, who announced her withdrawal on Monday evening.

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