Novak Djokovic recently suggested using a fast-four scoring format across the sport of tennis (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic has caused a stir after proposing a drastic change to tennis’ long-standing scoring system. The 24-time Grand Slam champion recently backed introducing a fast-four format, which sees players play best of five sets to four games, with a tiebreak at 3-3, plus no-Advantage scoring at deuce, which speeds up matches.
It’s a bold call from Djokovic, who has cemented himself as the GOAT after winning some epic battles throughout his career. The Serbian superstar beat Rafael Nadal in the longest Grand Slam final ever at the 2012 Australian Open, and saved two championship points to beat Roger Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon final.
But Brazilian teenage sensation Joao Fonseca, who came back from two sets to love down to stun Djokovic at the French Open earlier this year, has suggested that the 39-year-old had recommended the faster scoring format for one reason. “He’s getting older,” Fonseca joked.
Fast-four scoring has long been used at the Next Gen ATP Finals, a year-end event for the best male players aged 20 and under, which previously trialled innovations such as headset coaching and shorter warm-ups and time between points.
Fonseca, who now sits at No. 27 in the world, lifted the trophy at the Next Gen event back in 2024, so he’s well-versed in fast-four. But the 19-year-old wouldn’t want to see it used at regular tour events, and joked that Djokovic’s age and physicality could have something to do with his radical idea.
“Well, I had a good time playing four-game sets in the Next Gen. So I can’t complain about it. But I think he’s saying that because of his physique, you know. He’s getting older. Well, that’s what I can say,” the two-time title winner laughed.
Joao Fonseca has already beaten Novak Djokovic in five sets (Image: Getty)
“I mean, I don’t say bad things or good things, but I know it’s more about the classic tennis, the history of tennis and the tennis being six games during the sets, it’s important. I think it’s classic tennis. It’s the history of tennis. So, yeah. But I can’t complain because I had good results with it.”
Earlier this week, podcaster Nick Koutrakos asked Djokovic to share a tennis opinion he would “die on a hill for”, and the world No. 5 didn’t hold back. “We should change the format of the scoring,” he declared.
“Not play up to six games in a set, play it up to four. Possibly no-Ad. Best-of-five sets. Keep the matches within a two-hour window. It’s best for everyone.”
Djokovic might be keen on a faster scoring system, but he’s still more than capable of winning marathon matches at this stage of his career. He beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in what became the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history last month, at five hours and 15 minutes.
The former world No. 1 also shocked Jannik Sinner in a four-hour semi-final at the Australian Open in January, sealing victory at around 1.30am local time.
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