Wimbledon shorten men's doubles to three sets

London (AFP) – Wimbledon will shorten men s doubles matches from best-of-five sets to best of three from this year s championships, the All England Club announced on Wednesday.

The traditional five-set format had been criticised in the past for discouraging more singles specialists from entering the doubles.

Wimbledon was the only grand slam tournament to stage five-set doubles matches, but will now move into line with the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.

"The decision was made following a wide-ranging consultation and the change brings Wimbledon into line with the other grand slams which stage the gentlemen s doubles in a best-of-three format," the AELTC said in a statement.

"This update will provide the referee s office with greater certainty when scheduling matches during the event and we hope it will encourage even more players to enter doubles at Wimbledon as a result."

All other formats at Wimbledon will remain the same.