Nope. That's one of the main reasons why I prefer the women's game - I'd rather the men's moved to BO3 if something had to give. I'm not necessarily an advocate for men moving to BO3 just because of the history, and I'm happy enough with my general slam arrangement of watching 90% women in week 1 (keeping an eye on the men's scores) and then watching more of the men's in week 2 when the general matches are more few and far between, but it would massively affect my enjoyment of slams if the women's matches were extended, not to mention the demands of getting 128 BO5 matches crammed in during the first 2 days, and I think you'd see loads of sets being written off when a break or two down, so the quality would likely dip. For me, it's OK getting the odd 4/5 set men's cracker when you can set aside the time for a high stake match, but 90-120 mins is definitely my preferred time for a tennis match.
Another option which I have seen mentioned a few times by journalists / podcasts, if there was a desperate strive for equality, would be to have week 1 BO3, and BO5 from the QFs onwards, I could live with that, but can't see it ever happening, if anything was to happen then I think BO3 across the board would be the most likely.
-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Friday 9th of October 2020 10:01:16 PM
No, not annoyed but no particular objection to women playing best of 5 in slam singles. And it does make sense in 2020.
I certainly wouldn't deviate from best of 5 in slam men's singles. I just wish all though had 5th set TBs, preferably all at 6-6.
You could accomodate the 1st round by starting on the Sunday, as the French do and they currently start doubles on the Monday. All Slams should be able to cope with 3 days for R1 singles with best of 5 sets for both men and women.
I just don't really see any advanges of improving the sport as a spectacle moving the women's to BO5, other than to prove a point, and a lot of traditionalists wouldn't want to lose the BO5 in the men's. I do know what you mean by the disparity, and that will always inevitably result in questions being asked about the equal prize money, but as it's been like for years and there's been no massive push / campaign to even things up, I personally don't see a massive need to change things - I think more fans will be put off with any potential adjustment than the status quo.
If there ever was serious a massive push to change things then maybe that earlier week 1, week 2 suggestion could come more to be fore.
I think moving to 3 sets for both men and women through until week 2 would work. From the last 16 or last 8 onwards, I would be happy if both moved to 5 sets. The schedules in the 2nd week for other events such as legends could be adjusted accordingly, maybe mens doubles at Wimbledon doesnt need to be 5 sets all the way through either?
B03 for women
I enjoy B05 in first round of slams as you usually get a few very good battles, so happy to keep B05 throughout for the men. Quite like the final set tie break to 10.
