SUNDAYS AND PARTY COURTS... SO WHAT’S NEW AT THE AUSTRALIA OPEN?

FROM NEIL McLEMAN in Melbourne First Sunday start

The Australian Open will now take place over 15 days, with the main draw starting tomorrow.

With modern matches lasting longer, the extra day will relieve scheduling pressure for the same number of matches.

Fewer daytime matches on show courts

Last year the over-running day session saw Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis start their second-round match at 10pm – and the five-set epic finished at 4.05am. Now, days sessions on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena – the two main courts – will have a minimum of two matches scheduled instead of three.

A new ‘party court’

The Australian Open has built a two-storey Courtside Bar alongside Court 6 with a capacity of 400 fans to drink, eat, listen to live DJs – and watch some tennis. Tournament Director Craig Tiley said: “We expect this will quickly become known as the ‘party court’.”

Former champions – and mums – are back Naomi Osaka, who won here in 2019 and 2021, gave birth to Shai in July and made her comeback at last week’s Brisbane International.

The 2018 champion Caroline Wozniacki, who retired after a third-round defeat here in 2020, had two children before returning last August.

And 2016 champion Angelique Kerber will play her first Major since Wimbledon 2022 after giving birth to her first child Liana last year. Australia has a men’s contender

Ash Barty won the women’s title in 2022 and now Alex De Minaur will bid to become the first Aussie men’s singles champion here since Mark Edmondson in 1976 – the longest drought for a home champion in Majors.

Nick Kyrgios is still on TV

The former world No.13 has only played one match since last year’s Australian Open due to injury. But he is back at Melbourne Park this year as part of Eurosport’s commentary team.