Jessica Pegula’s coach proposes big change to best-of-five tennis amid current Grand Slam debate
Jessica Pegula’s coach Mark Knowles has proposed a big change to best-of-five set tennis matches. Best-of-five set matches have been a big topic of conversation...
The coach of American tennis star Jessica Pegula, Mark Knowles, has suggested a significant alteration to the best-of-five set format currently debated in tennis circles. Best-of-five set matches have garnered attention following Tennis Australia's CEO, Andrew Abdo, hinting at potential changes for the Australian Open. While some, like Frances Tiafoe, have defended the format in its current iteration, Knowles proposes a modification to the scoring system to expedite the matches.
Knowles, a retired four-time Grand Slam doubles champion and Pegula's coach since early 2024, is advocating for a return to best-of-five sets without the existing advantage of an Ad-scoring system. Speaking on social media platform X, Knowles noted the ongoing debate surrounding the BO5 format in Grand Slams, stating that he has long believed the future of tennis lies in best-of-five sets with no-Ad scoring.
He explained that choosing to serve could reduce the arbitrariness associated with the receiver's advantage in men's doubles on the ATP Tour.
Knowles' proposal follows in the footsteps of former world number one Jim Courier, who has also advocated for this change. Pegula, while expressing her stance on the matter, has stated that she would not participate in best-of-five set matches at Wimbledon. She reiterated her preference for men to play two-out-of-three sets rather than three-out-of-five, emphasizing her interest in the matches rather than their length.
Pegula acknowledged that while these matches are physically and mentally demanding, she personally finds them too lengthy to maintain her focus.
Despite her personal reservations, Pegula remains an accomplished player, having reached the semi-finals at the US Open this year and narrowly falling short of a Grand Slam title to Aryna Sabalenka. Both Pegula and Knowles are currently on an extended break before Pegula returns to competition at the Singapore Open, where Alex Eala is also participating.
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