It’s just 4 days left before the ball starts rolling at Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of the season. And, guess what? There are plenty of reasons for the fans to be excited about the 2024 Australian Open. What are some of those? We’ll cover all of them in this article.

For the first time in the history of the 119-year-old tournament, the event will run over 15 days instead of 14. Roland Garros was the first to make this change while the other two major events remain at 14 days. Late finishes are a very common issue in tennis, and to eliminate this completely Tennis Australia announced this change last October. How did the tennis world react to this? Let’s find out what the 64-year-old American legend and 7 time Grand Slam singles winner, John McEnroe has to say about this.

John McEnroe calls the change a pure ‘money grab’

The primary reason to make such a change is to reduce the number of matches scheduled for each day. This will also reduce the evening sessions that stretch well beyond midnight. Night sessions will have a minimum of 2 matches. But the extended nights get eliminated. Players will now get sufficient time for their recovery before their next match. Last year a match between Andy Murray and the Aussie star Thanasi Kokkinakis finished after 4 am in Melbourne after a 5-hour and 45-minute intense battle. So, is the change good or bad?

Here’s what John McEnroe said about this recently on the ESPN conference call. “First of all, it’s a money grab as far as I’m concerned. They just found another way to make some money. I don’t agree with it. I’m a commentator. No one’s particularly concerned about my feelings. The players, if they accept it and they’re getting something from it, like some money for their pensions or retirement for some players that don’t have insurance. I would say that’s a good thing that they have added an extra day,” John McEnroe.

He further added, “I don’t think that has happened, just like it didn’t happen at the French Open. I completely disagree with it. That’s probably me being selfish that I have to be away from home an extra day or two. “I’ve been saying this for the same amount of time, how about a commissioner of tennis?” 

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The former tennis player didn’t look too impressed with this decision. “How is that for an idea, someone that can actually oversee this and make decisions based on what’s best for the sport, not what’s best for the Australian Open? Oh, okay, let’s have an extra day of the event. Great. We can make more money. Is that better for the players? I don’t know about that,” McEnroe.

In this year’s event, the first round will be expanded to three days instead of two. Fans will get to witness their favorite superstars at a much friendlier time. There are a few more changes made this year. What are those? Let’s find it.

Plenty of new things introduced to light up the 2024 Australian Open

Which is the most boisterous stadium in Melbourne Park? Well, if you’ve guessed it right let me tell you, fans must visit John Cain Arena because just outside Court 6 a new two-storeyed Courtside Bar is being built. It has a capacity of 400 fans to enjoy their drinks, eat, and listen to live music. And, of course, watch the main action which will take place on the court just alongside it. 

When it comes to the AO, there is always something new each year and a lot more than just tennis. This year more shades have been added for the fans at the popular Garden Square. Even the quad wheelchair draw has been doubled from 8 to 16 players. AO will also hand out 6000 free rackets to encourage kids to join the Hot Shots Tennis program. It’s a program for kids aged 3 and above, which will run until January 12. Who is your pick for 2024 AO?

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