The player who has won 24 Grand Slam titles has proposed a series of changes affecting the scoring system, the length of sets and some of the most important moments in each match.
The goal of the Serbian tennis player is to set the duration of each match at about 2 hours, creating a more dynamic and predictable tournament for fans, organizers as well as television units.
Shorter sets to increase attractiveness
One of the main changes proposed by Djokovic is to replace the traditional 6-game set with a 4-game set.
Matches can still be played in a 5-set win-3 format, both maintaining the ability to come back, but with a significantly shorter set time.
This format will maintain different stages in the same match without requiring the competition to last 3, 4 or even 5 hours.
Scores will eliminate the advantage scoring rule
The second proposal relates to the application of "golden point" - a system currently used in sports such as padel and has also been tested in several different tennis formats.
According to this regulation, there will be no more advantage points when the game reaches a score of 40-40. The next point will directly determine which player wins that game.
This calculation method will increase the drama at decisive moments and reduce the possibility of a game lasting many minutes due to a draw (deuce) and continuous advantage.
The format has a precedent
The ideas that Djokovic put forward are not entirely unfamiliar. Some of these features have been applied at the ATP Next Gen Finals - an annual tournament that gathers the best players under 21 years old and plays the role of testing new rules.
However, deploying a similar model throughout the tournament system will mean changing some of the most traditional rules of tennis.
Controversial context in the tennis world
Shortening match time can make scheduling easier, improve the television experience and attract new audiences. However, this will also reduce the physical and mental endurance factors - inherent characteristics of long matches.
Djokovic, 39, is still playing in the traditional format, but his position in the professional arena makes these shares possible to be the beginning of a discussion that may explode more strongly in the coming years.
World tennis will face a complex decision: protect the rules of history or start a revolution to conquer a new generation of fans.
