In another masterful analysis of the situation, Djokovic criticized the packed annual calendar, the proliferation of injuries \u2014 demonstrated by the statistics \u2014 and how, while some fatten their wallets disproportionately, others suffer. \u201cI think tennis really needs a reset of some kind on a bigger level. I think our tours respectively are not functioning well at all. I mean, there are a lot of things that are happening backstage, meetings, relationships are not going in the right direction […] What we have to do, in my opinion, if we want this sport to really improve and be able to compete with the popularity of all the other global sports, we just have to take all of the interested parties in our sport, all the key players, sit down, let\u2019s see what we can do,\u201d the Belgrade native warned<\/a>. \u201cI don\u2019t see that happening because what I\u2019ve been hearing and what I\u2019ve been seeing in the last couple of years, there\u2019s a lot more conflict within the governing bodies of our sport than there is unity.\u201d<\/p>\n Djokovic said today\u2019s \u201cBand-Aids\u201d aren\u2019t sufficient and, despite his hard\u2011won privileged status, his demands have always been global, with special emphasis on lower-ranked players. He calls for more power for the players while pointing that the median age of a tennis fan is currently 61. \u201cHow do we get a younger audience to tennis?\u201d he asked, while behind closed doors an endless debate continues, leading nowhere. Or rather, leading only to strictly economic considerations.<\/p>\n Reviving audiences<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m on the Players\u2019 Council,\u201d Spaniard Jaume Munar says. \u201cAnd it\u2019s true there are a number of complicated issues, but I don\u2019t think we should be alarmist or overly disruptive. Should there be changes? Without a doubt. It\u2019s a reality. Clearly we must review the product, but we shouldn\u2019t forget that tournaments are, in general, more profitable than ever, that we have a lot of fan engagement and that the industry is growing hugely,\u201d he tells this newspaper. The player himself admits some matches feel \u201clong\u201d to him and that he feels the need for something to \u201cchange\u201d in terms of the spectacle.<\/p>\n Beyond executive matters and organizational fragmentation \u2014 Grand Slams, other tournaments, the ATP, WTA, ITF, owners… \u2014 voices calling for tweaks to the game to rejuvenate audiences are growing stronger. That premise was the basis for the new Davis Cup format<\/a>, introduced in 2019 after 125 years unchanged: \u201cMillennials want more excitement,\u201d Gerard Piqu\u00e9, the architect of the project, argued in EL PA\u00cdS. \u201cPeople have progressively less capacity for concentration and attention, that\u2019s the reality. There are matches that are highly compelling and epic finals, but there are also first rounds lasting five hours that nobody watches,\u201d Munar, 29 and ranked 44th in the world, elaborates.<\/p>\n The physique of today\u2019s players, like that of other athletes, has evolved exponentially compared with two or three decades ago, so some propose revising equipment \u2014 lighter and more powerful materials \u2014 redesigning them, or adding counterbalances so play isn\u2019t too linear and not solely about power. Add creativity. \u201cAverage height has increased considerably, so why not raise the net?\u201d suggests Toni Nadal<\/a>. The coach also proposes shortening racket handles to lessen the leverage effect, while the legendary Martina Navratilova favors reducing the racket\u2019s sweet spot.<\/p>\n \u201cI would force players to use rackets with smaller heads. Technique would become much more important. It would reduce speed and demand more control. I spoke with Rory McIlroy in the Royal Box and he told me he would do the same with golf clubs; today\u2019s clubs are huge and it\u2019s exactly the same in tennis. Technique would regain value. We\u2019d see more serve-and-volley, more net approaches…\u201d Navratilova said recently on the Tennis Channel.<\/p>\n Rules and play<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/J45H35YF2ROEXJ4H6HTQUMEHAM.jpg\")
Jaume Munar during a third-round match against Jiri Lehecka.TOLGA AKMEN (EFE)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4NXKQSBUFJJ7DBZFAZSXD7HUBA.jpg\")
Spectators on Centre Court during the Fery\u2013Cobolli match.Maja Smiejkowska (AP)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2BLUXB4FLVOEJIDUYYY5HVTBZA.jpg\")
Detail of a volley during a Djokovic match.TOLGA AKMEN (EFE)<\/p>\n