"Too unfair": why Brad Gilbert wants to change the draws… and what that would change for Sinner and Alcaraz
Brad Gilbert has never been afraid to shake up the rules.
At 64 years old, the former coach of Andre Agassi, now an analyst, has reignited a debate: the Grand Slam tournament draw system must change.
According to him, the top two seeds, currently Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, are too exposed to unbalanced draws. And he says it clearly:
"The top two seeds deserve a bit more protection," insists Gilbert.
Why Gilbert wants to change everything
Currently, the Grand Slam system only guarantees that the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds meet only in the final, while the No. 3 and 4 seeds are randomly distributed in the two halves. But for seeds No. 5 to 8? It's a total lottery.
Gilbert hates the idea that a No. 1 seed could end up facing a formidable No. 5 seed as early as the quarterfinals, while the No. 2 seed would benefit from a more lenient path. "An imbalance that can weigh heavily," he says.
The "shock" reform proposed by Gilbert
His solution? Shake up the seed distribution from the round of 16. He wants it to be predetermined:
- The No. 1 seed would face the No. 8 seed in the quarterfinals
- The No. 2 seed would face the No. 7 seed
In other words: no more randomness, make way for a draw designed to guarantee a similar level of difficulty between the tournament's two favorites.
But while some see this idea as a way to ensure semi-finals and finals of exceptional quality, others denounce a form of injustice towards players ranked 5 to 8, who would lose the opportunity for a sometimes more favorable draw.
But one thing is certain: Gilbert is bringing to light a recurring debate: should seeds be protected for the spectacle or should the unpredictable essence of sport be preserved?
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Mind boggling that they would refer to Brad as an expert.