Australian Open boss Craig Tiley slams calls to move tournament date

Craig Tiley, the director of the Australian Open competition, has rejected demands that the event be shifted, but acknowledging that the length of the international tennis season is an issue.

To escape Australia's extreme heat and to give players more time to prepare after the short off-season, there are persistent proposals to transfer the season-opening major to a different time of year.

High-profile withdrawals from the tournament have occurred during the past several days, including the exclusion of two-time women's champion Naomi Osaka and world number one for men Carlos Alcaraz.

Despite criticising a News Corp report from the weekend that called for the Australian Open to be moved, Tiley acknowledged the need for a longer season.

Tiley criticised a News Corp report from the weekend that called for the postponement of the Australian Open, but he conceded that the duration of the season needed to be examined.

As Tiley remarked, "I read that [News Corp piece] and felt it was totally ludicrous, a weird assertion.

You should speak with each player; this is the season. Beginning in January. It all begins in Australia.

"I do believe it's a lengthy season," the tennis player said. "It culminates with the Davis Cup late on the men's side and not as late on the women's side." That has been a topic of discussion for a while.

"But from the players' point of view, this event is one of their favourite places to play since Australia is the summer and Australia is January.

"They're arriving earlier, we're seeing players stay for longer periods of time (six to seven weeks), and the preparation for the Australian summer has become rather routine. They are aware of what must be done.

The tennis season is lengthy, but Australian great Alex de Minaur said he enjoyed the January start.

You compete in tournaments all year long, and you finish rather late. He said, "That depends on your schedule and everything."

I'm sure many players would prefer if the off-season lasted a little longer. However, we've also become accustomed to it.

"You can choose to take a little time off at various points throughout the year, and that's definitely the best course of action." I will thus consider that.

After spending the winter in Europe and the US, many competitors must adjust to a harsh change in climate, but de Minaur insisted that it was the responsibility of the players to plan their preseason and get used to the heat.

Tiley discusses the COVID predicament.

Players will no longer be compelled to disclose positive COVID-19 tests, according to Tiley, who added that they will instead be urged to remain home if they are sick.

We adhere to the rules, and we have made it plain to the players and our staff, which numbers over 12,000, that anyone feeling ill should stay at home, he said.

"You can choose to take a little time off at various points throughout the year, and that's definitely the best course of action." I will thus consider that.

After spending the winter in Europe and the US, many competitors must adjust to a harsh change in climate, but de Minaur insisted that it was the responsibility of the players to plan their preseason and get used to the heat.

There might be players who compete with COVID, similar to how cricket works.

Additionally, Tiley revealed that an exhibition match between nine-time winner Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will take place on Rod Laver Arena on Friday night before the tournament officially started on Monday.

Djokovic will play there for the first time since capturing the men's singles title in 2021.

Due to his reluctance to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, he was expelled from Australia and missed the competition the year before.

Similarly to how they greeted the former world number one at the Adelaide International, Tiley predicted that the Melbourne Park supporters would warmly welcome Djokovic back.

I've had a couple conversations with Novak over the course of the year, he admitted.We've talked a lot over the past week; he said he had a great time and felt welcomed in South Australia. He'll take part in a few activities this week.