Australian Open chief defends tournament’s January date

Event director Craig Tiley has described as “ridiculous” and “weird” requires the timing of the Australian Open to be modified to permit gamers an extended low season.

Tiley was responding to an Australian media report which urged the primary Grand Slam of the season is perhaps moved away from January and the peak of the Australian summer time.

“I did learn that. I assumed it was completely ridiculous – a weird declare,” Tiley stated. “You discuss to each participant, that is the season. It begins in January. It begins right here in Australia.”

Tiley was talking throughout an occasion at Melbourne Park on Monday that marked the beginning of the Australian Open qualifying match. The Australian participant Alex de Minaur, who additionally attended the occasion, stated it was “no secret” the skilled season was a protracted one however stated he relished the January begin.

“Alex has an excellent level concerning the size of the season,” Tiley stated. “The game does have to get collectively and have a look at the size of it.

“It finishes with Davis Cup late on the boys’s aspect and never as late on the ladies’s aspect however I do assume it’s a protracted season. We’ve been speaking about that for a very long time.

“However Australia is the summer time, Australia is January and this occasion is, from the gamers’ perspective, one in every of their favourite locations to play.”

Some commentators have linked the withdrawal of main gamers together with males’s No.1 Carlos Alcaraz from this yr’s Open with the quick low season. Alacaraz and veteran Venus Williams each will miss the match with accidents. Many gamers additionally face the problem of adapting from the northern hemisphere winter to the Australian summer time.

Tiley stated gamers had sufficient time to organize and acclimatize.

“They’re coming right here earlier, we’re now seeing gamers right here for six weeks, for seven weeks and the preparation for the Australian summer time could be very normalized,” he stated. “They know what they should do.”

De Minaur stated the size of the season wanted to be reviewed.

“It’s no secret the yr’s a really lengthy yr,” de Minaur stated. “You play tournaments all through the entire yr, you end fairly late. That relies on your schedule and all the pieces.

“If there was a bit extra time for an low season, I’m certain a whole lot of gamers would love that. However on the similar time we’re sort of used to it. “I’ve carried out it for a pair years the place you end fairly late and then you definitely get proper into the midst of issues.”

Tiley additionally stated for the primary time since 2020 gamers wouldn’t be required to report optimistic checks for COVID-19. However he stated gamers could be inspired to remain away if unwell.

This story has been printed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content.