Novak Djokovic comes out in support of proposed format change in tennis

World number one Novak Djokovic has come out in support of the proposed changes in tennis, believing that the sport should embrace them to fulfill its potential. He believes matches with more predictable timing and length would help tennis attract more viewers on television.

Women's Tennis Association (WTA) head Steve Simon had recently admitted that the authorities were looking at introducing super tie-breakers and no-ad scoring for single matches. The new format would ensure that matches become shorter in length which would help broadcasters make it more viewing friendly.

"I would partly agree with that, because one thing that is difficult, you never know how long the match is going to go and when it's going to be played. I think in terms of finding some kind of frames where we can at least know approximately when we are playing, that would be much better to place the product in the market. So in terms of that business perspective, I would agree", Djokovic said, as quoted by Tennis.com.

However, the Serb who recently lost to Roberto Bautista-Agut in the semi-final admitted that he was not too happy with all the changes that have been suggested and would not support them.

"I have heard stories about shortening up sets, playing up to four. I have seen many exhibition matches and tournaments being played up to four. Then you have the ITPL league testing out the no-ad, no-let kind of rules, introducing the timer between points. Some of the rules are, you know, worthy of consideration, some are not", the current world number one added.

Meanwhile, not everybody is happy with the proposed set of changes. Rafael Nadal, the 14-time Grand Slam champion, slammed the move, claiming that such changes go against the values of the sport. The Spaniard who has been involved in some of tennis's most intense and emotionally charged matches in recent history said that a bit long matches become dramatic and add emotion to the game.