Australian Open tennis to start on Sunday for first time

The Australian Open will begin on Sunday, January 14, and run for 15 days for the first time in the tennis tournament’s 111 year history.

This decision means the Australian Open joins the French Open as the only grand slams to be played over 15 days, with the intention of stopping so many late-night finishes, taking pressure off players and giving fans a better experience.

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said data has shown tennis matches at grand slams were running longer and that the decision had been in consultation with all stakeholders.

“We’ve listened to feedback from the players and fans and are excited to deliver a solution to minimise late finishes while continuing to provide a fair and equitable schedule on the stadium courts,” he said.

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“The additional day will achieve this, benefiting scheduling for fans and players alike. With the first round now sprawled over three days as opposed to the conventional two, fans are in for a treat with an extra day brimming with unparalleled tennis action, stellar entertainment, gastronomical delights, and wholesome family fun.”

Tiley said the Australian Open organisers make no excuses for changing things up, with innovation one of the hallmarks of the popular Melbourne-based grand slam.

“Every year our team works hard to bring fans an event that feels new and exciting, and this is another opportunity to grow what is already the biggest annual sporting event in the world in January,” he said.

Under the new schedule, the Australian Open will witness an increase in the total number of sessions across its three premier arenas, with the count escalating from 47 to 52.

Furthermore, in a bid to curb late finishes, the day sessions in both the Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena will now showcase a minimum of two matches, a slight decrease from the previous tally of three. The Australian Open night sessions will retain their format of featuring at least two matches. Additionally, the scheduling for John Cain Arena will remain unaltered.

Ten-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic is the $2.20 favourite to win the 2024 Men’s event, ahead of Carlos Alcaraz ($2.63) and Daniil Medvedev ($6). The best of the Australian contingent is Nick Kyrgios at $13, with Alex De Minaur ($67) the next best.

The women’s singles is a more open event, with Iga Swiatek ($4.33) heading the betting, with Aryna Sabalenka ($5) and Cori Gauff and Elena Rybakina (both $8) the next best. With Ash Barty retired, Australia currently has no female tennis player in the market to win the Australian Open.

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