"To change the schedule because you think someone may default wouldn't be a wise thing to do" – Craig Tiley on potential Australian Open changes

The 2025 Australian Open is officially over. Fans have been treated to some great tennis in Melbourne, and the atmosphere around the courts was incredible. Officials of the tournament will always look to improve fan engagement and accommodate the overwhelming demand from spectators.

It will be interesting to see if next year's tournament brings any noticeable changes, but tournament director Craig Tiley has some ideas in mind.

A change to the schedule

A significant proposed change to enhance the fan experience is a shift in the tournament schedule. Traditionally, the Australian Open has commenced on a Monday and lasted two weeks. The new plan suggests starting the tournament on a Saturday, extending the event to 16 days.

This change reflects the Australian Open’s willingness to adapt. In 2024, the tournament began on a Sunday to help alleviate scheduling congestion and provide players with better rest periods. Extending the event to 16 days would mean a Saturday start, allowing more fans to attend opening matches and boosting overall attendance.

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Additionally, players would benefit from more rest days between matches, potentially enhancing their performance and reducing the risk of injuries. This change highlights the Australian Open's commitment to innovation and improving the experience for both players and fans.

Fan behaviour at this year's tournament

Novak Djokovic in Melbourne 

The sport wouldn't be possible without the fans, as the two go hand-in-hand. However, questions have arisen about fan behaviour at the Australian Open. One notable incident involved a match being moved due to excessive noise from a nearby court. Despite these concerns, Tiley dismissed any need for change.

Tiley addressed the issue, stating, "To change the schedule because you think someone may default wouldn't be a wise thing to do." This comment was made in response to suggestions that changes might be necessary due to player injuries or withdrawals.

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"I was at the Davis Cup a couple of months ago in Malaga, and no one complained about the crowd behaviour there, and you couldn't hear yourself speak.

"The Australian team were against the wall. It was in Spain, but the Italians were going crazy.

"So I struggle to understand why people think that's different. That's far worse (behaviour)."

When asked if fans had overstepped the mark during the tournament, Tiley insisted:

"The majority—99.9 per cent of fans—have not.

"I fully expect controversies. With one million people coming through the gate for over three weeks, if there were none, that would be strange.

"There will always be one or two who heckle or say something. The same thing happened last year and the year before.

"But it's not like the number of evictions we've had has gone crazy high. Evictions have been on par with previous years or even fewer.

"And our officials are instructed very clearly that, if they get a call for any play disruption, they radio in, and security goes to the people."

Looking ahead

The Australian Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves over the next year and beyond. With potential schedule changes and discussions around fan behaviour, next year’s tournament could look very different.

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