2024 Australian Open Set To Run 15 Days

Australian Open will start on a Sunday for the first time in 2024, making the tournament a 15-day event, organisers have announced. 

This is in an attempt to reduce the number of late-night finishes at Melbourne Park.

The move to Sunday in Melbourne is designed to help alleviate the pressure on late-night finishes for both the players and the fans.

Last year scheduling was questioned by Andy Murray who described his 4am finish as a “farce”.

Now the Grand Slam has added a day and will start on Sunday, January 14.

Also Read: Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

A minimum of two matches will be scheduled for day sessions on the main courts, rather than three, to cut the risk of night sessions being delayed.

Tournament director Craig Tiley while speaking explained;

“We listened to feedback from players, fans and are excited to deliver a solution to minimise late finishes while providing a fair schedule on courts. The additional day will achieve this. The first round will now be played over three days instead of two

The additional day will achieve this, benefiting scheduling for fans and players alike. The first round will now be played over three days instead of two, also giving fans an extra day of unbelievable tennis, entertainment, food and family fun.”

Tournament organisers confirmed day sessions at the Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena will now feature a minimum of two matches, down from three, to limit the potential of late finishes.

Three matches took place during the day session from 11am, and two were scheduled from 7pm for the night session.

Also the French Open is also a 15-day tournament, while Wimbledon and the US Open are played over 14 days.

The Australian Open has staged five singles matches on each of the two main show courts, Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena, during the opening six days of past tournaments.