Time for men’s tennis matches to be three-setters? Breaking the Ice

Judy Murray might be on to something with her suggestion that men’s tennis becomes the best of three sets rather than best of five at the grand slams. I was always a fan of the longer format and, if anything, thought that women going up to that length of match rather than the men cutting back would be a better bet.

But the casualty rate in the men’s game at the moment is changing my mind.

The number of drop-outs for the US Open is going up and up, with Milos Raonic the latest to succumb to injury.

And, even players like Federer, Nadal and Murray, who will be in New York, have had to pull out of other tournaments recently.

It’s looking like the cost of getting your way to the top of the game is a physical one.

If the big names continue to miss the big tournaments the governing body may be forced to give serious consideration to the three-set idea.

Perhaps the best compromise would be to follow the Olympic format – three sets and then five in the final.

Chuck was a true curling legend

There aren’t many people in curling who wouldn’t have heard the name, Chuck Hay.

It’s very sad that he has passed away but he had such a big impact on the sport.

I can’t remember when I first met him but he was a pretty constant presence at the side of the rink at Perth for as long as I can think back.

He was a world-class curler in his day and made his mark in Canada, as well as over here. And, of course, the family name has gone on to be one of the most famous in the sport, with Dave and Mike.

In more recent years he would always support events like the Perth Masters and make sure the Canadian teams got their round of golf at St Andrews!

I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to get to the event being held to celebrate Chuck’s life. I’m sure that it will be a fitting send-off for a true curling legend.

It’s looking like the cost of getting your way to the top of the game is a physical one

Chance of a lifetime

Every athlete knows what it’s like when you get to the stage when you’ve done all your practice and all you want is the season to start. That’s where we’re at now. Flying out to Canada next weekend can’t come quickly enough.

My brother Glen is an alternate for the men’s Olympic team and he’s got a chance of a lifetime in the next Grand Slam event at Regina.

One of Glenn Howard’s team (my coach) can’t play so Glen is filling in. You can’t buy that sort of opportunity – playing with one of the best players in the world over the last 20 years.

Hope Bradley finishes job off

I’m really pleased to see that Bradley Neil is on course to get his European Tour card.

You worried for him after he wasn’t able to hit the ground running with the pros on the back of his big amateur win and getting into the Open and the Masters.

But he must have real mental strength to fight back the way he has.

I hope he finishes off the job now and gets his place on the main tour.

Picture: PA. Andy Murray is one of a number of leading men’s players to have succumbed to injury in recent times.