"And what's the impact on players?" The 04.05 finish of Andy's match against Thanasi Kokkinakis, the second latest in the history of the AO, has prompted the Beeb to look at the effects of loss of sleep on tennis players & to consider possible changes, the beneficiaries of late finishes & whether there is any appetite for change. Andy apparently had only three hours' sleep after the match, returning to Melbourne Park at about 11.00 on Friday to have "seven or eight" blisters on his feet drained!
It seems crazy to me. I can't think of another sport where the top players are so disadvantaged. Tiley doesn't seem to have a reason for having 2 matches in the daytime instead of 3 as Andy suggested, although I can see his point about only having one scheduled at night. I feel like I'm missing some sponsorship/TV angle because with the existing facts it makes no sense to me, and only serves to make it tougher for the crowd favourites.
It seems crazy to me. I can't think of another sport where the top players are so disadvantaged. Tiley doesn't seem to have a reason for having 2 matches in the daytime instead of 3 as Andy suggested, although I can see his point about only having one scheduled at night. I feel like I'm missing some sponsorship/TV angle because with the existing facts it makes no sense to me, and only serves to make it tougher for the crowd favourites.
Matches finish so late because of the greed of tournament organizers having separate sessions for night matches