Why don't women tennis players play 5 sets?

Question

I don't get it. I'm all for gender equality, but if that is the goal they why not make women play 5 sets?

More women than men run in long distance road races and women with their naturally higher fat content have an advantage over men at extremely long distances.

Answer 1

I wish to God that all of you men will stop your pathetic whining!

To answer the question, women play fewer sets because a long time ago men decided that they could only handle a maximum of three sets. -- that is after they gave them permission to play. However, in other events like marathons and triathlons women have been competing to the same extent and degree as the men. Clearly female tennis players are not incapable of playing five sets they just haven't been required too. If it happens, fine! I am confident that the women will make the adjustment and begin to play as if they have always played 5 sets. I am glad that you have noted the physical advantages that women have because in a sport where a lot of running is necessary, we now know that running back and forward for five sets won't be a problem for women.

So many guys have responded to this and proved just how lame they really are. Women demanded equal pay. They did not protest equal sets. There's a reason why men feel the need to constantly perpetuate women as incapable. Since people need to establish heirarchies and dominance over others, making all things equal prevents men with low self esteem from easily establishing dominance. There always has to be a phantasmagorical excuse. If you read the responses from many of the respondents so far, they are already laying the groundwork their excuses for why men still disserve better treatment than women if women have to play five sets in all the tournaments. Apparently a 5 setter among women will last forever and have no entertainment value. This is bull. I get so tired of watching mens matches that go on forever. Who wants to watch a single tennis match for 5 hours? Qualty should matter and both men and womens tennis have quality and crappy matches. The point is, womens tennis does not cost lesser than mens matches and they fill up the seats just the same as the men do, why shouldn't the be paid the same? If you look at it this way, women have a lot less time to attract viewers and spectators than the men do. The men can afford to have crappy sets. The women can't.

Answer 2

No, I don't think it would be a good idea to have the women's players play 5 set matches in the Grand Slam. Years ago in the season ending championships for the WTA Tour they played where the winner had to win 3 out of 5 sets and they stopped doing that. They stopped doing that because it didn't work out as well. I do think they need to cut down on the number of sets on the Mens' side for the Grand Slams at least for the first several rounds though. I think it might help reduce the number of injuries that occur especially like at the U.S. Open.

Answer 3

This is a really fair question actually and there isn't really a good answer to it. Traditionally women played less probably because organizers figured that women were less fit I suppose. However, in these modern times where we have just as many women triathletes as men, I don't see any particular reason why the women can't play just as long. The only other possible reason I could think of is that we might see far more injuries on the women's side than we do now. I do agree that since they do play less then the men, they aren't exactly getting equal pay for equal work. On the other hand, men get far more endorsement deals.

Answer 4

Yeah right women want more money for less work, it's about time. Men have always received more money in every profession. It's about time we get an advantage. Women's rallies are usually longer than men. They hit more shots on the average because they are not as powerful as men. Men you wanted a woman to respond and I totally disagree with you. Women have always played best of 3 it's a tradition and will stay that way.

Answer 5

In the Olympics they have smaller javelins, discus and shot putt for women. The heptathlon is seven events as opposed to the decathlon which has ten.

It doesn't detract from the contest and the atheletes ability to perform at the highest level. Some men have spoken about this subject as well but right now why change a good thing. They still are very talented and give the viewing public a very good show.

Answer 6

I totally agree with rksu747 on this one.
Plus women are obviously more fragile, why are boys nowadays always whinchin cos 'nothing's fair''.. be a man!! we go through a hell lot more than men do...
I'm a tennis fan, and I would hate to see women taking on 5 sets..no way.. soon their muscles will begin to bulge and .. they will be men!!

Answer 7

lucky thing that all the answers to this question you asked have all been men...if women answered it...its gonna spark a long debate...

another reason why no female has yet to answer it is simple...they cant answer it...they already know its not fair...they want the same amount of prize money with 1/2 the effort...even the womens no.1,justine henin admits that pushing the ladies to 5 setters would see the quality of the game deteriorate...as they cant go the distance...

"their naturally higher fat content" i am bout 70% sure if any ladies know you..they are gonna murder you hahahah mate....

but then again its human nature no???everything we want...deserving or not...different story

on a different note...would we actually want to see the ladies slug it out for 5 setters...where the last set is gonna look like two chicks that can hardly move hitting the balls at 3/4 their power...i think we just gonna get dissapointed

anyway some ladies are gonna use the "weaker sex" arguement...not as strong as the male players...but the $$$ has to be equal...go figure!!!

Answer 8

The women SHOULD have to play 5 sets because equal prize money = equal playing time. There is no excuse for the women to not play so much. Isn't it sad that the MOST women could play in a match (3 sets) is the MINIMUM requirementof a men's grand slam match?

Answer 9

It would take forever for matches to complete. Sets generally take longer in women's tennis because they are not as dominant in their service games as men. Men's points tend to be shorter. But having women play 5 sets for the final might not be such a bad idea.

Answer 10

I think they just want to keep it the way it's been for a while.