Australian Open 2024 major change to reduce late night finishes

The tennis action will hit the courts a day earlier with the Open to start on a Sunday in a historic change that aims to prevent late night finishes for the benefit of both players and fans.

It comes after a five-set match between Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis finished at 4.05am at the 2023 tournament, after they took the court after 10pm.

At the time world number one Novak Djokovic joined Murray in calling for change to prevent "gruelling" late night matches.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said they had listened to feedback from players and fans.

"[We] are excited to deliver a solution to minimise late finishes while continuing to provide a fair and equitable schedule on stadium courts," he said.

The additional day will see the first round matches played over three days instead of two.

The day sessions at Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena will feature a minimum of two matches, rather than three, to limit the potential of late finishes.

It was a change Murray called for at the 2023 tournament.

"That would stop the day matches running into the night session starting too late," he said in January.

"You'd still get quality matches during the day. The people who bought ground passes would get to see more of the top players, which would be excellent for them."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Night sessions will still feature a minimum of two matches and the schedule for John Cain Arena is unchanged.

The Australian Open is at Melbourne Park from January 14 to 28, 2024.