Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and reigning US Open champion, made headlines at Wimbledon 2025 not only for her commanding first-round victory but also for her outspoken stance against extending women’s Grand Slam matches to a best-of-five-set format. Following her swift 6-1, 7-5 win over Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine in just 73 minutes on June 30, 2025, the Belarusian powerhouse addressed the ongoing debate about match length, firmly rejecting the idea of women playing five-set matches like their male counterparts. Her comments, delivered with her characteristic candor, have reignited discussions about physical demands, player welfare, and equality in tennis, adding a compelling layer to her campaign at the All England Club.
Sabalenka’s dominant performance on Court No. 1 showcased her physical prowess, with her thunderous groundstrokes and aggressive play overwhelming Branstine, ranked No. 194. Yet, it was her post-match press conference that drew significant attention. Reflecting on the grueling five-set French Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, which lasted 5½ hours, Sabalenka acknowledged the spectacle but expressed reservations about its feasibility for women. “For someone watching, it’s amazing to see five hours of great tennis,” she said, “but I’m not really jealous to stay there for five hours as a player. I don’t know how many days they needed to recover after that crazy match.” Her remarks highlighted the physical toll of extended matches, a concern shared by world No. 2 Coco Gauff, who noted that while a five-set format might suit her physically, it would be “a big change for the tour” and preferred the status quo.
At 27, Sabalenka is one of the fittest players on the WTA Tour, a fact she acknowledged with a touch of self-awareness. “Probably physically I’m one of the strongest ones, so maybe it would benefit me,” she admitted. “But I think I’m not ready to play five sets. I think it’s too much on the woman’s body. I think we’re not ready for this amount of tennis. I think it would increase the amount of injuries.” Her concerns about injury risks resonate in a sport where players already navigate packed schedules and surface transitions, with Wimbledon’s grass courts posing unique physical challenges. Sabalenka’s own experience—using an ice pack to cool down during her match against Branstine—underscored the intensity of even a relatively short encounter.
The debate over five-set matches for women, though not a pressing agenda, surfaces periodically, often tied to discussions of equality since men play best-of-five at Grand Slams while women compete in best-of-three across all tournaments. Sabalenka’s perspective adds nuance, emphasizing player health over format changes. Her training with male players, which she finds invaluable, further informs her stance. “It is fantastic to train with them because I learn a lot about how they hit the ball, how they face some situations during matches,” she explained. “Every time I train with a male player, I feel that I add something to my game and become a better tennis player.” Yet, she draws a line at adopting the men’s match length, arguing that the physical demands differ significantly.
Sabalenka’s comments come at a pivotal moment in her career. With three Grand Slam singles titles—2023 and 2024 Australian Opens and 2024 US Open—and a recent return to the world No. 1 ranking, she is a leading contender at Wimbledon, where she reached the semifinals in 2021. Her 2025 season has been stellar, with titles in Madrid, Miami, and Brisbane, though a “terrible” French Open final loss to Gauff, marked by 70 unforced errors, left her determined to rebound. “Honestly, guys, this will hurt so much,” she said after that defeat, reflecting her emotional investment in each match. At Wimbledon, her focus is clear: navigate the pressure of being the top seed and capitalize on her powerful game, which is well-suited to grass.
As Sabalenka prepares for her second-round match against Marie Bouzkova, her stance on five-set matches has sparked broader conversations. Fans on social media have praised her honesty, with one post noting, “Sabalenka ve inviable plantear partidos a cinco sets en el tenis femenino,” capturing her view that extended matches could exacerbate injuries. Her blend of vulnerability and strength—seen in her candid reflections and commanding play—makes her a compelling figure at Wimbledon 2025, where she aims to claim her first title and shape the sport’s future both on and off the court.
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