World number five Roger Federer admitted that he wants more five-set matches on tour. Currently, this format is being implemented on Grand Slam tournaments, Olympics and Davis Cup. It used to be the case for ATP Masters 1000 events. At the Indian Wells Masters, Federer won four titles – two of them coming from five-set finals (2005 and 2006).
“I just think we need to get some maybe more best-of-five-set matches back into the ATP events,” Federer said. “Definitely think we should have it at the World Tour Finals. Maybe at the Masters 1000. I don’t know if 500 or 250s can have it again.
“I played best of five sometimes at 250s and 500s, and some matches I guess are more memorable. I understand we went the other way, so more players can play more tournaments and more fans can see those best players because a five-setter clearly at the wrong time can either injure you or make you extremely tired or just you run the risk of being burnt out.
“So that’s why you have to do it at the right times and be fair which tournament gets it and which one doesn’t. So maybe that’s going to be a negotiation, a debate. I don’t know what it’s going to be. So I think it will be nice to have a few more best-of-five-set matches on the tour.”
Federer posted a 22-17 win loss record on five-set matches.
