Radical changes incoming at Australian Open? Chiefs consider changing men's and women's finals past 2025
Tennis News
The
organizers of the Australian Open are contemplating a significant change in the
scheduling of the men's and women's finals, potentially setting a precedent in
Grand Slam tournaments.
Currently,
all four Grand Slam events (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the
US Open) schedule the women's final for Saturday and the men's final for
Sunday. However, the chief executives of Tennis Australia are considering the
idea of having the men play on Saturday and the women on Sunday.
The primary
reason behind this proposed change is to benefit the viewers, especially those
watching on television. Men's matches, played as best-of-five sets, can often
extend into lengthy encounters, requiring viewers to stay awake until late at
night or, alternatively, choose between watching the match and sacrificing
sleep, particularly considering most people work on Mondays.
Conversely,
women, who play best-of-three sets, typically have shorter matches, alleviating
viewers from the dilemma of choosing between watching the match or getting
little sleep. According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the proposal
was discussed during the 2024 AO. “While the radical move is unlikely to take
place in 2025, flipping the men’s and women’s finals is seen as a win-win for
fans, not least those watching on TV”.
The AAP
also asserted that the potential change in the scheduling of the finals would
be beneficial for women: “it would also thrust the women further into the
spotlight at what would be the first Grand Slam to stage their title match as
the climax of the tournament”.
Players welfare in focus
The
delicate point arises with the rest that the organization aims to ensure for
male tennis players, as they intend to maintain a 48-hour recovery period
between quarterfinals and semifinals. Currently, men play quarterfinals on
Wednesday, semifinals on Friday, and the final on Sunday.
On the
women's side, quarterfinals are currently played on Wednesday, semifinals on
Thursday, and the final on Saturday: '[Craig] Tiley would not compromise on
player welfare if organizers were unable to fashion a way for the men to play
every second day.'
“But it’s
understood that now the Open runs for 15 days, with a Sunday start and more
wriggle room, swapping the men’s and women’s finals is back up for
consideration.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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