Wimbledon shorten men's doubles to three sets

Wimbledon will shorten men's doubles matches from best-of-five sets to best-of-three from this year's championships, the All England Club announced on Wednesday.

The traditional five-set format had been criticised in the past for discouraging more singles specialists from entering the doubles.

Wimbledon was the only grand slam tournament to stage five-set doubles matches, but will now move into line with the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.

"The decision was made following a wide-ranging consultation and the change brings Wimbledon into line with the other grand slams which stage the gentlemen's doubles in a best-of-three format," the AELTC said in a statement.