Tennis players are one of the busiest athletes as they play continuously for 11 months a year. While the senior players tend to rest more, they, too, play for around 9 to 10 months a season. Most of the events last for a week. Now, changes are being implemented for the events to last longer, which is around 12 to 15 days. Players like Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray have spoken against the new rule.
The longer duration of the events means that the players will have to spend more time on the events. This schedule gives them less time to prepare for the next event, and it becomes really difficult when there is a change in surfaces. Wawrinka’s coach, Magnus Norman posted on X that he is worried about the schedule change, which will affect player’s mental and physical health.
Masters 1000 from 7 to 10 days. Grand Slam from 14 to 15 days. Tennis just adds more and more. 25 years ago topic among players were IW and Miami to long of a swing. Worried for players physical and perhaps even more mental health
â Magnus Norman (@normansweden) October 3, 2023
Along with Norman and Wawrinka, Murray also expressed his disappointment over the change. He said, “I donât think that this necessarily shortens it for the players. Itâs just a little bit more time at tournaments, a little bit more time on the road.” The players will now spend over 15 days at the upcoming Australian Open, as the schedule has been fixed for next season.
Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray disagree with latest schedule change at the Australian Open
The 2024 Australian Open will begin with new changes brought into the schedule. The grand slam will now begin on the 14th of January. This season, it started on the 16th of January and went on till the 29th. The 2024 edition will start sooner and go on till the 28th of January. Even though players like Wawrinka and Murray have expressed concern regarding the schedule, there will be no change in the schedule.
The first round of the Australian Open will now go on for three days instead of the usual two days. Craig Tiley, the director of the event, said that the schedule is player and fan-friendly. He said that the players can rest more between the matches. It will also lead to fewer late-night matches. The 61-year-old has had a tough time over the past few years at the event.
Hits like a Melbourne summer đ
AO 2024 starts SUNDAY â giving you one EXTRA day of epic matches to watch.
Let’s make Sunday the ultimate day for it đż pic.twitter.com/fIPjvRSrCh
â #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) October 2, 2023
Tiley will now hope that the new schedule works in his favor. The ongoing Shanghai Masters 1000 is also scheduled for 12 days instead of a week. Players might change their minds once they play under the new schedule, as it will give them more time to recover after each match.
