Our writers on the case for and against bringing the men’s and women’s singles deciders forward into the afternoon
The first time I covered the Australian Open, in 2001, the final began at 2pm. Andre Agassi beat Arnaud Clement in a lopsided final that lasted one hour, 46 minutes. This year marked my 18th visit and on Sunday I wondered aloud (on the internet) why, since 2005, the Australian Open men’s final has been played at night, when Wimbledon, the US Open and Roland-Garros are all afternoon starts.
Overseas broadcast rights are incredibly lucrative, of course. Tennis Australia has invested millions of dollars in the expansion and improvement of Melbourne Park and the Australian Open, paying the players far more prize money than in the past. That money has to be recouped, so having the men’s final at night, also offering fans hours to be in the grounds and spend money, makes sense.
European TV and Asian TV, the latter an especially big source of income for Tennis Australia, like the evening start, because the time zones work nicely. In the US, though, 7.30pm Melbourne time equates to 3.30am in New York.
Many people mentioned the heat. Well, the Australian Open has a heat rule so if it’s too hot, they close the roof and the players and crowd are in air-conditioning. The fans in the grounds watching on big screens need more shade, yes, but the tournament has pledged to improve that in future years.
