Andy Murray explains why tennis becoming ‘a wee bit more professional’ will be good for everyone
Andy Murray feels the decision to tennis’ new scheduling policy is a step in the right direction for the sport, but warns “there still is the possibility” that we could have late-night matches at the Australian Open.
Tennis has had some ridiculous early morning finishes in recent years with Murray’s five-set marathon win over Thanasi Kokkinakis at last year’s Australian Open ending at 4.05am.
Meanwhile, the year before Alexander Zverev and Jenson Brooksby played until 4.55am in Acapulco, Mexico, which is the latest finish in tennis history.
On the back of complaints from players, fans and commentators, the ATP and WTA confirmed changes with the number of matches played per day at tournaments restricted as they also set a deadline of 11pm for matches to start.
Former world No 1 Murray welcomed the new rules, saying: “It’s really good. I’ve spoken about it, I’ve heard lots of players and the media, obviously, discussing it for a long time. It just makes sense. It’s a very obvious thing that needs to change.
“I haven’t heard anyone really disagree with that. So it’s positive that there’s going to be some changes made. It will be good for, I think, everyone. It will definitely help with recovery for the following day’s matches and things like that.
“I certainly think, for fans and the tournament, it just probably looks a wee bit more professional if you’re not finishing at three or four in the morning.”
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Australian Open organisers have also made changes to their scheduling as the tournament is now 15 days, instead of the traditional 14 days, there will be a minimum of two matches during the day session on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena instead of three with night sessions still featuring two matches starting at 7pm.
Murray admits there could still be late-night finishes at Melbourne Park over the next fortnight.
“I don’t think the Sunday start will change the late finishes. I think on centre court they’re having two matches in the day, two matches in the evening,” the former world No 1 said.
“I think that will reduce the possibility for late finishes on Rod Laver just because it’s unlikely you’re going to have issues with the day session running into the night, then having that gap where they have to clear out the stadium and get the night session fans in.
“My understanding is that on the other show courts that’s not changing, so there still is the possibility for that to happen.”
