Djokovic backs schedule change at expanded Australian Open

MELBOURNE : John McEnroe has described the Australian Open's move to add an extra day to the schedule as a "money grab" but Novak Djokovic and other players hope the change will mean evening matches will no longer drag on until the early hours of the next morning.

Organisers said in October that the Melbourne Park major was switching to a 15-day tournament and would start on a Sunday for the first time in its 119-year history.

The French Open made a similar move in 2006 while the other Grand Slams at Flushing Meadows and Wimbledon remain 14-day tournaments.

While the Roland Garros decision was aimed at giving the tournament more exposure, particularly on TV, Australian Open organisers said their move was made with player welfare in mind, with data showing matches now lasted longer.

The extra day on the schedule allows Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena to feature two matches instead of three in the day session, meaning there will be no spillover to the evening session.

Reigning champion Djokovic, who founded the Professional Tennis Players Association, was keen to see if the changes would help.

"I guess that's one of the motives behind starting on Sunday," he told reporters on Saturday.

"Obviously there are other Slams that start on Sunday. Roland Garros starts on Sunday, as well.

"That's going to help, I'm sure, get some matches out of the way, reorganise the schedule better in the opening week which is always very busy with a lot of matches on the schedule that need to be finished in a proper time.

"Let's see if that works out."

Five-times finalist Andy Murray has also welcomed the change. The Scot was involved in one of the latest ever finishes at the Grand Slam when his five-setter against Thanasi Kokkinakis went on