In thrilling news for tennis fans, the Australian Open promises to be a star-studded affair in 2024. While the return of Rafael Nadal has already been confirmed, Craig Tiley, the head of Tennis Australia, is lining up some of the sport’s biggest names for a return to the 2024 Australian Open.
Tiley announced that the 37-year-old Nadal is all set to make a comeback at the Australian Open, putting to rest any concerns about early retirement due to his recent injury-ridden season. While the return of the Spanish great is an exciting prospect, Tiley is equally excited about the return of other tennis legends.
During the tournament’s launch, Tiley expressed his delight about the comeback of “the greats” to Australia. This revelation indicates that fans can look forward to an Australian Open featuring not just Nadal but also several other top talents after a prolonged break.
Returning SERVE 👑
AO 2024 will see @naomiosaka, @CaroWozniacki, and @AngeliqueKerber back in action 💙 pic.twitter.com/2BOP2fnvoq
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) October 11, 2023
As the tournament draws closer, the return of iconic players takes center stage. Alongside Rafael Nadal, stars like Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber, and local hero Nick Kyrgios are set to grace the courts, promising an action-packed 2024 edition of the AO Open. The three women legends will return to Australia after becoming moms, while Kyrgios is returning from injury.
With the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff in the mix, the Australian Open is gearing up for a grand showcase of tennis stars. Tennis enthusiasts worldwide are in for a treat, as the Australian Open welcomes back the legends among the rising talents for a super duper 2024 edition.
AO 2024 will be a 15-day Grand Slam spectacle
In a notable move, the Australian Open will commence on a Sunday instead of a regular Monday in 2024, extending the tournament’s duration to 15 days, diverging from its usual 14-day format. This change, announced by Tennis Australia, addresses the persistent issue of late-night matches that have challenged players and spectators.
One match in the previous Australian Open involving Andy Murray lasted until 4 a.m. Of late many players have raised this concern highlighting the necessity for proper scheduling of matches. The decision to extend the event is intended to enhance the overall experience by reducing the likelihood of matches extending past midnight.
Hits like a Melbourne summer 😎
AO 2024 starts SUNDAY – giving you one EXTRA day of epic matches to watch.
Let’s make Sunday the ultimate day for it 🍿 pic.twitter.com/fIPjvRSrCh
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) October 2, 2023
Unlike other sports, tennis doesn’t operate on a strict time limit and matches can even extend up to 5 hours. These varying match durations can sometimes lead to very late finishes which is neither good for the spectators nor the fans. The move aligns the Australian Open with the French Open, the only other Grand Slam event that runs for 15 days.
The idea is to provide a more reasonable timeline for matches while ensuring that the Australian Open remains an exciting and well-paced competition making it a welcome change for all the stakeholders involved.