The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the tennis season, is set to begin on Sunday, January 15, 2023, and will last for 15 days, ending on Sunday, January 29. This is a historic change for the tournament, which has traditionally started on a Monday and lasted for 14 days. The aim of the change is to avoid late-night finishes and provide more flexibility for scheduling matches.
Why the change?
The Australian Open has been known for its thrilling night sessions, which often extend well past midnight. However, this also poses challenges for the players, the fans, and the broadcasters. Some of the most memorable matches in the tournament’s history have finished in the early hours of the morning, such as the 2009 men’s final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, which ended at 1:37 a.m., or the 2022 second-round match between Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis, which concluded at 4:07 a.m.
According to Craig Tiley, the tournament director of the Australian Open, the decision to start on a Sunday and add an extra day was made after consulting with the players, the fans, and the media partners. He said that the change would allow more matches to be played during prime time and reduce the risk of fatigue and injury for the players. He also said that it would create more opportunities for fans to attend the tournament and enjoy the entertainment options at Melbourne Park.
What are the benefits?
The Australian Open is expected to benefit from the change in several ways. First, it will align with the other three Grand Slams, which all start on a Sunday and end on a Sunday. This will create a consistent calendar for the tennis season and make it easier for fans to follow the action. Second, it will increase the exposure and revenue of the tournament, as it will have more days of broadcast coverage and more tickets to sell. Third, it will enhance the quality and fairness of the competition, as it will give players more rest and recovery time between matches and avoid potential clashes with other events.
One of the main advantages of starting on a Sunday is that it will allow the tournament to schedule two blockbuster matches on each of the first two nights. This will create a buzz and excitement for the fans and attract more viewers. It will also give more exposure to some of the top players who might otherwise play during less popular time slots. For example, in 2023, fans can look forward to seeing world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz take on former champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday night, followed by defending champion Rafael Nadal facing rising star Jenson Brooksby on Monday night.
Another benefit of adding an extra day is that it will create more space in the schedule for other events, such as doubles, mixed doubles, wheelchair tennis, legends matches, and junior matches. These events often get overshadowed by the singles matches and have less attention and attendance. By having an extra day, they will have more opportunities to showcase their skills and talents and attract more fans.
What are the challenges?
The change in format also poses some challenges for the Australian Open. One of them is that it will require more resources and logistics to run an extra day of operations. The tournament will have to hire more staff, security, volunteers, transport, catering, and other services to accommodate an additional day of matches and activities. It will also have to deal with potential issues such as weather delays, power outages, or health emergencies that might disrupt or extend the schedule.
Another challenge is that it will affect some of the traditions and rituals of the tournament. For instance, some fans might miss having a Super Saturday, which was usually the second-last day of the tournament and featured both men’s semifinals and women’s final. It was one of the most anticipated and exciting days of the event. However, with the new format, there will be no Super Saturday anymore. Instead, there will be a Super Sunday, which will feature both men’s quarterfinals and women’s semifinals.
A third challenge is that it will create some confusion and uncertainty for some of the players and fans who are used to the old format. Some players might have to adjust their training and preparation routines to accommodate an earlier start or a longer duration of the tournament. Some fans might have to change their travel plans or ticket bookings to fit in with the new schedule. Some might also have to deal with different time zones or daylight savings changes that might affect their viewing experience.
How will it affect you?
If you are a tennis fan who loves watching or attending the Australian Open, you might be wondering how this change will affect you. The answer is: it depends. It depends on your preferences, your availability, your budget, your location, and your expectations.
If you prefer watching night matches over day matches, you might enjoy having more options and variety in choosing which matches to watch or attend. You might also appreciate having more rest and recovery time between matches, especially if you are following your favorite players or teams. However, you might also miss some of the drama and excitement of late-night finishes, which often added to the charm and appeal of the tournament.
If you have a flexible schedule and a generous budget, you might benefit from having more opportunities and choices to attend the tournament. You might be able to see more matches, more players, and more events than before. You might also be able to take advantage of some of the discounts and promotions that the tournament might offer to attract more fans. However, you might also face more competition and demand for tickets, accommodation, and transport, which might make your trip more expensive and challenging.
If you live in a different time zone or country than Australia, you might have to deal with some changes and adjustments in your viewing habits. You might have to wake up earlier or stay up later to catch some of the matches live. You might also have to cope with some delays or interruptions in the broadcast coverage due to weather or other factors. However, you might also have access to more online and on-demand options to watch the matches at your convenience and comfort.
Ultimately, the change in format for the Australian Open is a bold and innovative move that aims to improve the tournament for everyone involved. It is a reflection of the evolving and dynamic nature of tennis and its fans. It is also a response to the challenges and opportunities that the sport faces in the 21st century. Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny that it will make the Australian Open 2023 a unique and memorable event.
