Split screen at the ready: Australian Open scheduling questioned as Alcaraz, Djokovic and Kyrgios all on at the same time
ATP
The 2025 Australian Open continues on what has been dubbed Manic Monday and it is manic truly for a reason for the Night Session alone in Melbourne. Three of the top names in the men's tournament are playing at exactly the same time.
The scheduling has been called into question again as while the extra day helps to spread the play out, it also means that Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios and Carlos Alcaraz who are all big names wanted on prime time have to be spread out among different courts and provides a nightmare both for the tournament and for broadcasters.
Djokovic perhaps was seen as a candidate to not play on Rod Laver Arena given Kyrgios's return for the first time in two years and Alex de Minaur for instance will flank the schedule tomorrow alongside Olivia Gadecki as a home hope duo. But instead they have opted for their most successful champion.
While Alcaraz faces Alexander Shevchenko over on Margaret Court Arena. Perhaps the easiest of the trio to place. Half of this nightmare comes in fact from him now being third seed.
Alexander Zverev usurping him has seen an unwanted problem as Zverev now plays on alternate days which are less stacked and this means that Alcaraz and Djokovic now sit in the Sinner section. The Italian prefers to play during the morning so it makes life a bit easier for organisers.
While Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, the two top women in action today also don't want to play the Night Session so it is Naomi Osaka's job to face Caroline Garcia on Rod Laver Arena post Novak Djokovic.
But it is also another showcase of tennis tripping itself in the foot as such with those wanting to watch all three not able to. Often an issue also has been finals with week on week all of the finals scheduled at the same time. Manic Monday perhaps but it is more of a nightmare as fans both on the grounds and at home have to decide who to watch.
Carlos Alcaraz, ready to go at the #AusOpen. pic.twitter.com/zRd5gBOzZW
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 13, 2025
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
