The Australian Open, the only grand slam tournament organized in the southern hemisphere, will be spread over 15 days for the first time this year with the arrangement made to prevent matches that overlap at midnight.

The courts of the 112th edition of the tournament, which will be held in Melbourne for the 112th time and will end with the final match to be played on Sunday, January 28, will open for the first round matches at 03:00 tomorrow.

MATCH ENDED AT 04:05 IN THE MORNING, CHANGING THE SCHEDULE

Last year's second round match between Great Britain's Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis, which ended at 4:05 a.m. local time, prompted the organizers to change the tournament's schedule.

The organizers found the solution to avoid prolonged matches due to athletes physically staying in matches longer and the courts being slower than others by starting the tournament on Sunday.

This decision will benefit not only the athletes but also the organizers financially. The value of broadcasting rights contracts will increase and the extra day will have a positive impact on ticket, food, beverage and merchandise sales.

3 years ago, Wimbledon added Middle Sunday to its schedule and is estimated to have generated more than £10 million in extra revenue.

TOTAL PRIZE MONEY IS 86.5 MILLION DOLLARS

Total prize money at the Australian Open increased by 13 percent compared to last year to 86.5 million (approximately 1 billion 745 million) Australian dollars.

In the women's singles and men's singles finals to be played on the last two days of the tournament, the players who lift the championship trophy will receive 3 million 150 thousand Australian dollars.

NEW RECORD IN THE STANDS ON THE WAY

The Australian Open, which welcomed sports fans at full capacity last year after the new type of coronavirus measures were completely lifted, broke a record with a total of 839,192 visitors.

The Australian Open, which hosted more than 900 thousand tennis fans with the qualifying week in 2023, is expected to set a new record this year with the effect of the tournament being shortened to 15 days.

DJOKOVIC IN MELBOURNE TO BECOME THE BEST IN HISTORY

Djokovic, who came to Australia with the title of the best in the history of the tournament and men's tennis, where he has won the championship 10 times, will achieve a historic achievement with 25 victories, surpassing Margaret Court, the most grand slam (24) winner of all time, if he reaches the trophy this year.

The 2023 Australian Open champion, who tied Rafael Nadal's record for the most grand slam tournament wins by a male tennis player, has a huge advantage in Melbourne, where he has never lost a final to become the best of all time.

The 36-year-old Djokovic, who has been champion in 24 of the 72 grand slam tournaments he has participated in, will also tie Margaret Court's record for the most (11) Australian Open wins if he wins one more time in Melbourne.