The Australian Open is poised for a substantial transformation in 2024, marking its inaugural expansion into a 15-day event, a historic development in the tournament’s history. This decision arises as a direct response to longstanding concerns surrounding late-night finishes that have marred previous editions, a concern that gained prominent attention when Andy Murray decried a 4 am conclusion earlier this year.
Kicking off on Sunday, January 14, the Australian Open will introduce an additional day to its traditional schedule. A noteworthy change in the main court scheduling will see a reduction from three to two matches during day sessions, a strategic move aimed at mitigating the risks of prolonged night sessions.
The tournament director, Craig Tiley, underscores their unwavering commitment to taking player and fan feedback into account while ensuring an equitable and fair schedule. Importantly, this extension will revamp the opening round, spreading it over three days instead of the previous two.
By embracing a 15-day format, the Australian Open aligns itself with the French Open, diverging from Wimbledon and the US Open, which retain their 14-day structures.
In past editions, the Australian Open typically featured five singles matches on its main show courts during the initial six days. Day sessions consisted of three matches, with the evening session commencing at 7 pm and featuring two matches. While the minimum number of night matches remains at two, the recalibration to a minimum of two day matches intends to address the issue of late-night finishes during the separately ticketed night sessions.
The reason for these changes primarily stems from the firsthand experiences of players. One notable example is Andy Murray, who endured the rigours of a late-night finish during the tournament earlier this year. His grueling five-set victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis in round two concluded at the astonishing hour of 4:05 am local time, leaving him with a meager amount of rest before his subsequent round, a situation that unquestionably impacted his performance.
The extended duration of the Australian Open promises to bring in a new era, one that addresses the concerns of players, fans, and organizers alike, and fosters an enhanced and more equitable championship experience for all involved.
Leon Osamor
