ISTANBUL, Turkey—World No. 2 Victoria Azarenka says that while she would be willing to play three-out-of-five-set matches at Grand Slam tournaments if necessary, she would prefer to see the men instead play best-of-three-set matches at majors. Wimbledon champion Andy Murray recently suggested that in light of equal prize money, women should also play best-of-five sets.
“I think we can stand by one opinion that all the women have: We're ready to play whatever it is,” Azarenka said. “I just think that, you know, playing five sets can be very challenging for the scheduling. I actually think men should play three sets. It would be, you know, more interesting.”
World No. 1 Serena Williams, who once opposed women playing best‑of‑five set matches in the Grand Slams, says she supports the idea. Venus Williams and Angelique Kerber have said that they would be willing to play longer. Petra Kvitova says she’s not prepared to do so yet and Maria Sharapova has consistently opposed the idea of playing best‑of‑five set matches.