All four major tournaments will continue to have 32 seeds in the draw next year following a recent meeting conducted by the Grand Slam Board at the US Open.
Last year it was confirmed that officials were looking into the possibility of reducing the number of seeds from 32 to 16. Something that was last done at the 2001 French Open. In the past clay court specialists have called for more protection in the major tournaments. Leading to the number of seeded players being doubled. Following their research, the board has concluded that they have ‘no compelling reason’ to change the current format of the draw.
“Following a full year of Grand Slam match analysis and feedback from all other constituencies, especially players and broadcast partners, the Grand Slam tournaments have decided there is no compelling reason to revert to 16 seeds.” The Grand slam board said in a statement.
The possibility of reducing the numbers of seeds could have resulted in more high-profile exits earlier in tournaments. However, the WTA has concluded that having 32 seeds have little impact on if an unranked player reaches the later rounds of the tournament or not. At this year’s US Open only three of the top 16 women’s players managed to reach the quarter-final stage. In the men’s draw it was six out of eight.
20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer had previously spoken out in favour of reducing the seedings. Arguing that it could make the earlier rounds of majors more interesting, despite players like himself potentially facing tougher tests earlier on.
“Having 16 seeds, that might be interesting,” Federer said during the 2017 ATP Finals in London. “The draw could be more volatile, better matches in the first week.
“The top guys have made a habit of not cruising but getting through the first week quite comfortably for a long period of time. Playing against the numbers 17, 19 or 20 in the world is not something I really want to do, but it is what it is.”
The Grand Slam Board represents the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
