In a bid to bid adieu to those dreaded late-night finishes, the Australian Open is set to undergo a transformation in 2024, extending its duration to a whopping 15 days at Melbourne Park.
The demand for this change was ignited earlier when tennis sensation Andy Murray, renowned for his candid remarks, deemed his 4 am finish during the Australian Open as nothing short of a “farce.” It was a moment that got everyone thinking, “Isn’t it high time for a change?”
And change is precisely what we are going to see. As of January 14, 2024, the Australian Open will kick off as a 15-day extravaganza, a shift that aims to eliminate those late-night drama-filled matches. After all, who wants to be watching tennis at unearthly hours or worse, playing it?
One significant alteration will be the scheduling of day matches. Instead of the usual three matches on the main courts, there will now be just two during the day sessions. This change is geared towards reducing the likelihood of night sessions being pushed way past their bedtime.
Tournament director Craig Tiley couldn’t be more thrilled about this adjustment. He states, “We’ve listened to feedback from the players and fans and are excited to deliver a solution to minimize late finishes while continuing to provide a fair and equitable schedule on the stadium courts.”
But what does this mean for the players and fans? Well, for one, it should mean more humane match timings. The first round, for instance, will now span three days instead of the previous two. It’s all about striking that delicate balance between sporting spectacle and sleep schedule.
Speaking of Grand Slams, the French Open also spans a glorious 15 days, while Wimbledon and the US Open keep things slightly shorter at 14 days. It’s almost like the tennis world has its own unique calendar!
In the past, the Australian Open has been known to host a total of five singles matches on each of its two main show courts, the prestigious Rod Laver Arena and the equally grand Margaret Court Arena, during the first six days of the tournament. Three matches basked in the daylight glory, commencing at 11 am, while the remaining two took center stage at 7 pm for the night session.
The minimum number of night matches, which stands at two, will remain unchanged. However, the reduction of the minimum day schedule to two matches is anticipated to be the game-changer, or shall we say, the “match-changer.” The hope is that this move will prevent the night matches, which often come with separate ticketing, from concluding at painfully wee hours of the morning.
Just to give you a taste of why this change was desperately needed, let’s revisit Andy Murray’s five-set thriller against Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis in round two. The match kicked off at the unforgiving time of 10:20 pm local time and stretched on for a grueling 5 hours and 45 minutes, finally wrapping up at an eye-watering 4:05 am. Murray, the warrior that he is, managed only three hours of sleep before making his exit in the next round. Ouch!
So, there you have it, folks – the Australian Open is all set to extend its tenure in 2024, promising less midnight madness and more reasonable match timings. Tennis enthusiasts, players, and those with strict sleep schedules, rejoice!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about marathon-schedule-adjustment
What prompted the extension of the Australian Open to 15 days in 2024?
The extension of the Australian Open to 15 days in 2024 was primarily prompted by concerns raised by Andy Murray, who criticized the late-night finishes during the tournament. His experience of finishing a match at 4 am was a significant factor in the decision to make this change.
What specific scheduling changes are being implemented to avoid late-night matches?
To avoid late-night matches, the Australian Open will now schedule a minimum of two matches on the main courts during day sessions, as opposed to the previous three. This adjustment aims to reduce the risk of night sessions being delayed, resulting in late finishes.
How will this extension affect the duration of the tournament’s first round?
The extension of the Australian Open to 15 days will result in the first round being played over three days instead of the previous two. This change is intended to create a more balanced and reasonable schedule for both players and fans.
Are there other Grand Slam tournaments with a similar duration?
Yes, the French Open also spans a total of 15 days, making it a comparable tournament in terms of duration. In contrast, Wimbledon and the US Open are played over 14 days each, distinguishing them from the Australian and French Opens.
What was the rationale behind reducing the number of day matches on the main courts?
The decision to reduce the number of day matches on the main courts from three to two was made to ensure that night matches, which often have separate ticketing, do not finish at excessively late hours. This adjustment aims to strike a balance between accommodating fans and providing reasonable match timings.
Can you provide an example of why this scheduling change was necessary?
Certainly. Andy Murray’s second-round match against Thanasi Kokkinakis during a previous Australian Open started at 10:20 pm local time and lasted a grueling 5 hours and 45 minutes, concluding at 4:05 am. Murray had only three hours of sleep before his next match, highlighting the need for more reasonable match timings and the scheduling adjustments being implemented.
More about marathon-schedule-adjustment
- BBC Sport – Australian Open extends to 15 days in bid to avoid late finishes
- Australian Open Official Website
- Andy Murray’s Late-Finish Match
4 comments
australian open becomin’ 15 days event, bout time! murray had crazy late match, not fair.
fin’ly! late night matches was total mess, makin’ players zombies. more day matches good idea.
what this gotta do with movies? tennis and movies don’t mix!
15 days, wow! like tech updates, but for tennis. hope it works, night matches ain’t cool.