Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Monday, February 02, 2026, 12:37 / Updated Monday, February 02, 2026 12:38
Danielle Collins (32, #77 WTA) said she was shocked by Australian Open director Craig Tiley's proposal that matches in the latter stages of the women's Grand Slam tournaments be played in a “best of 5 sets” format, just like men's matches.
Craig Tiley claimed that this option, which could be implemented from 2027, would be considered, but only after thorough consultation with the players.
Danielle Collins reacts immediately after Craig Tiley's proposals: “I feel like I'm about to go into cardiac arrest”
Craig Tiley highlighted the spectacle he produced in the men's two Australian Open 2026 semi-finals, both of which ended in deciding sets.
Carlos Alcaraz (22, #1 ATP) needed 5 hours and 26 minutes to defeat Alexander Zverev (28, #4 ATP) in the penultimate act, score 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5. In the other semifinal, Novak Djokovic (38, #3 ATP) got past Jannik Sinner (24, #2ATP) in 4 hours and 12 minutes, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Thus, Craig Tiley is of the opinion that the change of format in the matches of the final stages of the Grand Slam in Melbourne in the women's draw would bring more spectacle.
“You can't replicate that day in the (men's) semi-finals. It was incredible. Probably the biggest and best event of all time. And the women's final can't be replicated either. It was incredible.
We should look at the latter stages of the competition, the quarters, semi-finals and finals, and use the 3 out of 5 sets format in the women's as well.
I don't know if female players would agree with that, but it's something we have to consider. All research shows that interest increases as the match progresses. As a sport, we need to evolve,” said Craig Tiley, according to 7news.com.au.
Danielle Collins, former world number 7 in the WTA ranking, had the first vehement reaction to Craig Tiley's proposal.
“I feel like I'm about to go into cardiac arrest just thinking about having to play three out of five sets“, the player from the United States of America wrote on the official Instagram account.
Danielle Collins played her last official match on August 26, 2025, when she was decisively defeated by Romanian Jaqueline Cristian (27 years old, #35 WTA) in the first round of the US Open, score 2-6, 0-6. The American has been dealing with a back injury, and her return is expected in the second part of the current season.
