(Sydney) The Australian Open will be held over 15 days from 2024, one day longer, in a bid to avoid matches in the middle of the night after Andy Murray notably finished a match at 4:05 a.m. in the morning during the 2023 edition, tournament management announced Tuesday.
The first Grand Slam lift of the tennis season will therefore begin a day earlier, on a Sunday, from the next season.
“We have listened to feedback from players and fans and are pleased to announce a solution to reduce late finishes of matches,” said Tournament Director Craig Tiley.
“The extra day will achieve this goal” and provide better programming for fans and players, he added.
The Grand Slam tournament played in Melbourne did not specifically refer to the Andy Murray-Thanasi Kokkinakis match which, lasting 5:45 hours, ended at 4:05 a.m. local time during the last edition.
The Briton, winner in five sets, said in the middle of the match: “Why are we playing at 3 a.m.? », provoking a debate around the scheduling of the tournament.
“It’s not good for the referees, the officials. I don’t think it’s great for the fans. It’s not good for the players,” said the ex-N. 1 in the world after this night marathon in January.
According to the Australian Open, the data collected shows that matches are getting longer.
The first Grand Slam of the season will take place in 2024 from January 14-28.
