Whenever there are talks about equal pay for men and women, a parallel question is associated with it. Should the men play best-of-three sets at Slams like women or vice versa? While there have been many calls to reduce the best-of-five sets to best-of-three sets, there have been contrasting opinions as well. While Billie Jean King was in favor of this idea, Andy Roddick strongly objected to it and cited a financial aspect behind it.

Earlier this week, Roddick was present on the Tennis Channel Live show when talks about marathon matches at Grand Slams took place. Men have to play best-of-five set matches which can extend for hours. However, Roddick is against any tinkering with this, as he said, “I don’t know if I’m much of a fan of that I think especially later on in the tournaments in the Slams it is tough scheduling the first week of a Slam but by the end, you need the extended format just to fill hours. If we offer TV contract, say eight hours of tennis for vs five hours of tennis, I feel eight hours is worth more value. I’m scared to disagree with Billie Jean King but I would keep 5.”

Tennis has seen a sharp decline in viewership numbers and a decrease in broadcasting revenue. Thus, at a time when things don’t look too bright for the sport, any tinkering would further derail the finances. That’s what Roddick thinks. However, time and again, Billie Jean King has advocated that men’s matches at slams should be reduced to best-of-three sets. During an interview a few years back, she also issued a clarification about it.

Why is Billie Jean King having a contradicting stance than Andy Roddick?

The American legend was one of the early advocates of equal prize money for men and women. While she eventually got success with the US Open being the first slam to offer equal pay for men and women, King also wants all the matches, men’s or women’s, to be played in best-of-three sets.

During an interview six years ago, she said, “Personally, I don’t want the men playing five sets anymore. I think it takes too much out of them. Like one time the players played in the Australian Open final. It took six hours. They could hardly walk off the court. I guarantee you that it took a year off their careers.”

King has a valid point as to why the matches should be played a maximum of three sets. Take for example the 2022 Australian final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev. The encounter lasted almost five and a half hours as the Spaniard made a strong comeback to prevail in that match.

According to the argument made by King, a five-set match takes away endurance, and stamina and can affect one’s career with injuries. Do you feel the men’s matches should be curtailed to a best of three sets, even in Grand Slams? Let us know your views in the comments below.