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Australian Open 2022 Announces Historic Change in the Schedule
As the 2021 season draws to a close, the excitement for the Australian Open 2022 is increasing. The Grand Slam event at Melbourne Park is scheduled from 17th January to 30th January 2022. Ahead of the event, there has been a historic announcement from the Director of the ‘Happy Slam’, Craig Tiley.
Next year will be the 100th year for the women’s competition at the Australian Open, which started in 1922. To mark this, Tiley announced that both the women’s semi-finals will be taking place in the prime time evening sessions. Specific dates for the matches have also been released.
Women’s semi-finals to be played in the prime slot at Australian Open 2022
The scheduling of the women’s semi-finals at night is going to be the first time it happens in a 100 years at Australian Open.
Craig Tiley, Australian Open chief said, “As we celebrate 100 years of women’s competition at what is now the Australian Open, I’m delighted to further showcase the women’s game by scheduling the semi-finals in the prime-time TV spot of Thursday night.” The women’s semi-finals will be taking place on 27th January 2022.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: A ballboy on court during a match between Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during day four of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)
Following the announcement, tennis fans across the world are excited to witness this historic moment. Furthermore, the men’s semi-finals will be held on the next day – in the mid-afternoon and night slots.
Tiley mentioned Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and others
Craig Tiley said that the intent behind taking this ground-breaking step is to show that women’s tennis shares the same limelight as men’s at the Australian open. The chief then went on to name some of the finest players in women’s tennis. Notably, this year’s US Open women’s singles final between Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez drew more viewers than the men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.
Tennis – Australian Open – Women’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 20, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka gives an interview as she celebrates with the trophy after winning her final match against Jennifer Brady of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
He said, “We are incredibly fortunate in tennis to not only have great athletes in our sport but tremendous personalities and role models. This includes our very own World No.1 and Wimbledon champion Ash Barty, recent two-time AO champion Naomi Osaka, the incredible Serena and Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, Li Na … the list of inspirational women in tennis is long, and they are all extraordinary.”
The excitement for the first Grand Slam of 2022 is already sky-high as players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams, who were struggling with injuries, have announced positive news about their participation.
This announcement will surely go down in the history books. Are you excited to watch a women’s evening semi-final at Melbourne Park?
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