Venus Williams Says She’s Fine With Best-of-five Sets

Written by: on 29th September 2013
Tennis Women Pan Pacific Open
Venus Williams Says She's Fine With Best-of-five Sets

epa03886167 Venus Williams of the US returns a shot against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic (not pictured) during their semifinal match of the Toray Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, Japan, 27 September 2013. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA  |

Have-a-go veteran Venus Williams is happy to go five sets if required at the grand slams as the one-time No. 1 player accepts the suggestion of Andy Murray that women’s should also be playing the grueling longer format in exchange for equal prize money.

“Sure, not a problem, if we have to play best-of-three, we play best-of-three. If it’s best-of-five that’s fine too. Either way it’s not a problem,” the 33-year-old Tokyo semi-finalist told Japanese media.

Murray, recovering from  back surgery and off of the ATP until next season, rolled out the suggestion and evoked a flurry of response. The Williams acceptance of the concept came after remarks from WTA boss Stacey Allaster last week in Singapore all but daring the plan to go ahead.

The executive said that while she thought best-of-three was just fine, women’s could conceivably play the longer format. But she was also quick to point out massive scheduling problems at the four grand slams if women’s contests also went the distance.

Contrasting to Williams was Tokyo champion Petra Kvitova, with the 2011 Wimbledon winner saying: “The top 50 are getting so much better and that’s why matches are so close now. I’d need to work more on stamina and do more running to be able to play best-of-five.”

 

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