Mats Wilander: Top seeds will suffer from Grand Slam rule change

Mats Wilander believes that a rule change being introduced from 2019 will impact top players such as Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.
From next year, the Grand Slams will feature 16 seeds rather than the current 32, meaning there is more chance of facing better players in earlier rounds for the highest ranked stars.
Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic have all cruised through to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, with the Serb the only one to drop a set – against Kyle Edmund in a four-set victory.
And seven-time Grand Slam champion Wilander believes the change could have a negative impact on the tournaments if it causes some of the best players to be knocked out early.
He said: “I think it has to be said the four matches so far are still a sign of dominance for Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
“There is a massive difference between them and the rest of the field.
“It was a pretty easy draw for them and they haven’t really been tested in the opening rounds.
“It would be interesting when Wimbledon only offer 16 seeds instead of 32 because then Federer, Nadal and Djokovic could face another high ranking player and it would give a better idea of where they are at.
“But there is also the fact that a Federer could lose early on and it would impact the competition later on.”
Latest
-
News
More Australian Open players go into isolation taking number up to 72
Forty-seven had already been told they had to stay in their rooms for 14 days.
-
News
How Australian Open players are keeping themselves occupied in quarantine
A total of 47 players were told they would have to stay in their rooms for 14 days.
-
News
Australian Open preparations rocked by fourth positive Covid case
A positive test was returned by a broadcast team member on a charter flight from Los Angeles.
-
News
Players were made aware of isolation risks on arrival to Australia – Craig Tiley
Forty seven players will have to remain in their hotel rooms for 14 days.
-
Australian Open
Andy Murray’s waiting game as anger mounts after tennis players fly in for Australian Open
Andy Murray is waiting to see if there is any way he compete in the Australian Open after testing positive for Covid-19.
-
News
Positive Covid cases on flights to Australia put 47 players in 14-day quarantine
Three people across two chartered flights carrying the Open hopefuls tested positive for coronavirus upon their arrival in Melbourne.
-
Tennis News
Bernard Tomic still has drive to compete, saying ‘I don’t need to play tennis again, I’ve got enough money’
“I’m risking my life, and I’m playing and competing.”
-
Tennis News
Dominic Thiem: ‘My wish for 2021 is to win a second Grand Slam title’
Dominic Thiem eyes a second Grand Slam trophy.
-
Australian Open
VIDEO and PICS: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams among tennis stars to arrive in Australia
This way for a video and pics of arrivals in Australia.
-
Australian Open
Official insists no special Australian Open treatment for Andy Murray after positive COVID-19 result
Andy Murray warned he won’t get preferential treatment.