Paula Badosa has an odd response to why WTA doesn't play five-set matches

Paula Badosa has never been one to be afraid to voice her views. She normally does so in an elegant manner and without the need to build false drama. She might fight back against those who unnecessarily criticize her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas (the relationship is really no one's business), but she does so without vitriol.

However, she was recently asked about the WTA only playing three-set matches and not five sets as the ATP does at Grand Slam events. All ATP events other than majors are played to a best-of-three. This is important in relation to Badosa's answer.

The Spaniard has a right to her opinion, of course. She also plays tennis professionally and has been oft-injured, so she would know as well as anyone how the sport can take a toll on one's body. Her views would be based on high-level experience and having lived a tennis life.

Paula Badosa has odd response to WTA ever playing five-set matches

The issue with her answer to why the WTA doesn't play five-sets is that had a man said the same thing, there would be a lot of pushback. Badosa's answer might be right for her, but it is also might generally be untrue.

In her response to the five-set question, she said, "I personally don’t think women are prepared to play five sets. Also because of what we go through. For example, we go through periods. Are bodies aren’t like a man’s body. So I really think a woman wouldn’t recover as well as a man does."

The answer does a disservice to those WTA players who can definitely play five sets, of which there are likely many. Plus - and this is important - the change to five sets would only happen at Grand Slam events, just as that change only happens at majors for the ATP. The ultimate problem with the WTA switching to five sets is that it might create havoc for scheduling at a major.

Men's matches that go five sets at majors can push other matches back that the later matches end in the early morning hours, especially in the early rounds of a Grand Slam. This is not good for fans or players. Making the WTA matches five sets would only enhance the problem.

Ultimately, Badosa's argument for why women can't play five sets (which could be interpreted as being sexist even though she is female) isn't the problem. The scheduling of matches would be.

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