Raducanu questions Australian Open schedule for late-night match
Raducanu questions Australian Open schedule for late-night match
Emma Raducanu questions the Australian Open's late-night scheduling after a tight turnaround, saying it could impact her prep and performance in Melbourne.
Emma Raducanu has questioned the Australian Open's scheduling after her first-round match was moved to Sunday night in Melbourne. The British world number 29 arrived only on Saturday following a run to the Hobart warm-up event and a delayed flight, leaving little time to adjust ahead of the season’s first major. She will face Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the opening round, a task that now comes with tricky logistics and little practice time.
Raducanu says it is very difficult to adapt when turnaround times are short and the environment is changing. She acknowledged she is given the schedule and must make the most of it, rather than dwell on the negative.
The timing could also be affected by a potential late finish in the men’s match on the same court. The women’s match is slated to follow a five-set clash on Margaret Court Arena, with the men’s match starting around 7pm local time. That could push Raducanu onto court close to midnight, raising concerns about travel, recovery, and comfort ahead of a high-stakes match. She argues that scheduling women’s matches after a potential long five-setter makes less sense.
With the Australian Open in full swing, Raducanu is focused on Sunday preparation and staying ready for her opponent’s game. The debate over late-night finishes has become a talking point as players balance fatigue with the demands of major pressure and global TV audiences.
