Wimbledon organizers announced on Wednesday that the men’s doubles matches will be played best of three sets, abandoning a 138-year-old tradition.

Organizers of the London event said they were following the example of other Grand Slam tournaments and that the decision was made after extensive consultation.

“This update will give the umpires’ office more confidence in the match schedule during the event and will hopefully encourage even more players to sign up for doubles at Wimbledon as a result” – All England ClubReuters reports.

Tud Woodridge and Mike Bryan are upset by the decision of the Wimbledon organizers

​Todd Woodbridge, the nine-time London Grand Slam men’s doubles champion, said he was heartbroken to hear the news

“It’s a bit painful for me, because I’m a real traditionalist. Of all the titles that Woody won (that’s not the name of the team he did with Mark Woodford) that I won with Jonas Bjorkman, I probably wouldn’t have won as many if it was in three sets. The five-set format allows the best team to win, as a rule, in this situation” – Todd Woodbridge for Channel Nine.

Woodbridge won six men’s doubles titles at Wimbledon with compatriot Mark Woodforde and another three with Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman.

American Mike Bryan, who along with his brother Bob formed the most successful doubles team of all time, also complained about the decision.

“We like the longer system, especially on grass, it’s hard to break it on a slippery surface. I think the big doubles teams want more time – the three out of five format – Mike Bryan.

The men’s doubles final at Wimbledon 2022 lasted more than four hours as Australia’s Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell defeated Croatia’s Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic.