Andy Murray, Thanasi Kokkinakis match ends at 4am as Australian Open schedule slammed

Andy Murray was in a furious mood after his match against Thanasi Kokkinakis finished at 4am Friday – and he was no happier on the court after this call by the umpire.

Andy Murray (L) greets Thanasi Kokkinakis at the net after the match. Picture: William West/AFP

They say records are meant to be broken but it’s the Australian Open that desperately needs to be rebuilt because the tournament is in danger of becoming a sick joke.

Already labelled the worst Australian Open in years after the withdrawal of so many top players, the organisers of this year’s tournament are now under fire for their farcical scheduling of matches.

Thursday night’s blockbuster showdown match between Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis and Britain’s former world No. 1 Andy Murray was a marathon that did not finish until 4.05am the next day.

Murray staged an incredible comeback to win the match 4-6 6-7 7-6 6-3 7-5 on the Margaret Court Arena but was so exhausted at the end that the result almost didn’t seem to matter.

"It's a 𝐣𝐨𝐤𝐞... It's 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥!" 😡

Andy Murray is furious for not being allowed a bathroom break at the end of the fourth set during his late-night encounter against Thanasi Kokkinakis... #AusOpen | @andy_murraypic.twitter.com/Q56CjltfFA

— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 19, 2023

And the Scotsman – like so many others in the sport – was furious about what had transpired and not frightened to say so.

“I don’t know who it’s beneficial for. We come here (to a press conference) after the match, and that’s what discussion is. Rather than it being like epic Murray-Kokkinakis match, it ends in a bit of a farce,” Murray said.

“Amazingly people stayed until the end. I really appreciate people doing that, creating an atmosphere for us at the end. I really appreciate that. Some people need to work the following day and everything.”

Andy Murray (L) greets Thanasi Kokkinakis at the net after the match. Picture: William West/AFP

Judy Murray mother of Andy Murray celebrates her son’s five set victory. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

In the 146 year history of grand slam tennis, only one match has ever finished later. That was the 2008 Australian Open clash between Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis, which finished at 4.34am.

The Australian Open also has its latest finish in grand slam history but that’s not a record to be proud of because it’s bordering on a disgrace to players, match officials and spectators.

No athlete – in any sport – should be playing matches at that time, but especially in tennis, because of the gruelling effects on players’ physical and mental health.

Time for tennis to move to only one 1 match at the night sessions at grand slams.

This is the best outcome for ALL singles players.

We can’t continue to have players compete into the wee hours of the morning. Rubbish for everyone involved - players/fans/event staff
Etc.

— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) January 19, 2023

It is essential we create better rules in tennis regarding the weather(light and wind) and starting times or cutoff times for matches. Murray and Kokkinakis will finish around 4am. Crazy- no other sport does this @AustralianOpen@ITFTennis

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) January 19, 2023

Other sports have already taken measures to better protect the welfare of athletes but the Australian Open remains stuck in the dark ages.

Thursday’s match between Murray and Kokkinakis lasted five hours and 45 minutes – making it the second longest match ever played at the Australian Open. The longest was the 2010 final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, that went 5 hours and 53 minutes.

Tough questions need to be answered by Craig Tiley, the beleaguered boss of Tennis Australia. He was nowhere to be seen when the Novak Djokovic vaccination saga blew up last year but needs to front up this time.

Citing weather issues on Channel 9 the morning after is not enough.

For too long, the Australian Open has ignored the pleas of top players to push the tournament dates to later in the year to give them more time to rest and recover from the previous season.

“If my child was a ball kid for a tournament, they’re coming home at 5am in the morning, as a parent, I’m snapping at that,” Murray said.

Andy Murray hypes the crowd late in the night. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“It’s not beneficial for them. It’s not beneficial for the umpires, the officials. I don’t think it’s amazing for the fans. It’s not good for the players.”

“We talk about it all the time. It’s been spoken about for years. When you start the night matches late and have conditions like that, these things are going to happen.”

While Thursday’s match was epic in many ways, it also made a mockery of the sport because the quality of tennis dropped off as the players battled fatigue and the slower balls being used this year.

Kokkinakis was devastated by the loss, leaving no-one in any doubt about his hollow feelings when he tweeted: “This fucking sport man…”

One of the unluckiest players in professional tennis, he served for the match in the third set and got within two points of victory in the fourth set but failed to capitalise on his opportunities.

4:05am. Five hours and 45 minutes. Andy Murray with a metal hip vs Kokkinakis after 0:2 down.

Tennis is not healthy for anyone in this Industry. Madness

I will tell my unborn children I was here pic.twitter.com/pVB5YEt0Yr

— Jannik Schneider (@schnejan) January 19, 2023

This fucking sport man…..😔

— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) January 19, 2023

I love you @TKokkinakis you did amazing bro ❤️ head up 🙏🏽 you are playing sick tennis 🗣

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 19, 2023

A prodigious talent, he has been plagued by cruel injuries throughout his career and just can’t seem to cut a break and has previously considered quitting the sport.

He did win the Australian Open doubles titles last year with his close friend Nick Kyrgios but has still never made it past the second round in singles and his agony was compounded by the knowledge he had his chances against Murray.

At times, he was brilliant and composed, thumping down 37 aces, including a 206 km/h thunderbolt right down the middle of the court.

But on other occasions, Kokkinakis let his emotions run wild, blowing up at the chair umpire after getting a time violation, then destroying his racquet after slapping a forehand into the net.

For Murray, it was a win he should savour but won’t have long to celebrate because his next match is on Friday, against Roberto Bautista Agut, the Spanish baseliner.

Almost a decade older than Kokkinakis, Murray is as brave as they come and an ornament to the game.

A five-time Australian Open runner-up, he now has a replacement metal hip that has slowed his legs but not his heart.

Thanasi Kokkinakis struggled to contain his emotions at times. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

A close friend of Kokkinakis, he tempered his own celebrations by consoling the Australian when the two weary men finally shook hands at the net.

“The match was obviously very up and down. There was frustration in there. There was tension. There was excitement, all of that stuff,” Murray said.

“It’s obviously amazing to win the match, but I also want to go to bed now. It’s great but I want to sleep.”

The lunacy of the timing of the contest was underlined late in the match when Murray was refused a toilet break because he had already taken one.

He argued with the officials to show some leniency given how late the match was being played but his request was rejected.

“I understand obviously the rules on the tour with the toilet breaks and the bathroom breaks,” he said. “But it’s 3am in the morning. I’ve been drinking all day. I need to go to the toilet.

“It’s obviously frustrating in that moment. I understand you don’t want people taking advantage of the rules. But when you’re sticking on the players 3am, 4am in the morning, sometimes there needs to be a little bit of leeway.”

RELIVE THE MATCH AS IT HAPPENED

Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis have played one of the greatest matches the Australian Open has ever seen, with the Scot coming out on top in a five-set epic.

Murray hit the final winner at 4:06am, with the match lasting 5 hours and 45 minutes.

There was absolutely nothing easy about this one, with Kokkinakis leading two sets to love and serving for the match in the third set.

But somehow Murray found the fight to keep going, even though he’d already played a five-set match in round 1.

In front of a raucous but weary Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, the Briton finally prevailed 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 7-5.pst/

‘RUBBISH FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED’: STAR’S BROTHER SLAMS LATE FINISH

Is it time for a change to these crazy finishes at grand slams?

Andy Murray’s brother certainly thinks so.

He took to Twitter to give his take on the madness.

“Time for tennis to move to only one match at the night sessions at grand slams,” he said.

“This is the best outcome for all singles players.

“We can’t continue to have players compete into the wee hours of the morning. Rubbish for everyone involved – players/fans/event staff Etc.”

‘WHAT IS THAT S***?’ KOKK FUMES OVER CALL

The match has been full of drama, with Kokkinakis involved in a fiery exchange with the chair umpire which threatened to derail his shot at victory.

Leading by a break in the third set, Kokkinakis was given a time violation for taking too long between points.

It followed an earlier violation given to Murray which the Scot was also not pleased with.

Kokkinakis was immediately enraged and let the referee know all about it.

“No mate, what are you doing?,” he screamed.

“I’m waiting. What is that s***? You can’t call that while I’m waiting for quiet. I was there, I waited, he (a fan) said something, I go again.

“You are just saying that because you felt bad about his (Murray’s earlier time violation).

“That’s 100 per cent.

“What’s the problem then? No, no, no you’re not waiting for s***.

“I’ve been waiting for him (the fan) to stop talking. What are you talking about?

“You’re wrong, you’re wrong again.”

KOKKINAKIS RACES TO PERFECT START

Earlier, it was a nervy start from the Australian crowd favourite, who was forced to save multiple break points in his opening service game against the three-time grand slam champion Murray.

However, once he settled into the match, he looked right at home on Margaret Court Arena.

In front of a packed house, Kokkinakis snatched the break in the fifth game and never looked back.

He raced through his remaining service games to secure the opening set 6-4.

There was plenty of drama in the second set, with Kokkinakis again the first man to strike after securing the break at 4-4.

But he was unable to hold onto the advantage and despite having three set points on his own serve found himself battling in a tie-breaker.

A double fault on a fourth set point threatened to bring back some bad memories but an ace on the following point delivered Kokkinakis the set.

Thanasi Kokkinakis has shown serious toughness. Picture: Getty Images

‘LET’S GO’: DEMON SENDS AUSSIE CROWD INTO A FRENZY

– Owen Leonard

Blow-up kangaroos, one-eyed fans draped in Australian flags and chants of ‘Oi Oi Oi’ made Alex de Minaur’s second-round clash feel more like the Lleyton Hewitt days of old as ‘The Demon’ delivered once more.

Frenchman Adrian Mannarino put up a fight early in the Thursday night duel, losing the first set only after a tie break before winning the second.

A long battle looked likely over the third set but de Minaur’s trademark agility and speed began to overwhelm the world no. 45 as the match progressed.

In fourth set, de Minaur simply dominated, dropping only one game en route to a stirring 6-7 6-4 4-6 1-6 triumph.

If being reminded of the Hewitt days didn’t come through the fanatics-style chants ringing around John Cain Arena it surely did on the big screen, whenever the two-time grand slam winner’s face appeared from de Minaur’s player box.

Seated alongside de Minaur’s partner and fellow tennis pro Katie Boulter, Hewitt’s role as a mentor for Australia’s brightest tournament hope comes nearly 15 years to the date since his famous marathon win over Marcos Baghdatis.

Alex de Minaur celebrates his win against Adrian Mannarino. Picture: Mark Stewart

A decade-and-a-half on, green and gold once again poured into Melbourne Park, this time cheering on the softly spoken 23-year-old from Sydney.

He might not roar ‘come on’ quite like his mentor, but the crowd made up for that.

Speaking post-match, de Minaur summed up his performance with the same words of his pumped-up supporters.

“Let’s go!” He yelled in the microphone.

“I enjoyed every second of it. It was a battle.

“I wouldn’t have been able to without you guys (the crowd), you gave me energy. Let’s keep this wave going.”

His next opponent is Benjamin Bonzi, who won a fifth-set tie break to set up the third-round clash.

“I think it’s going to be an incredibly tough match with a lot of long rallies,” de Minaur said, before drawing on the crowd’s energy one last time.

“But, hey, if I’ve got you guys by my side … I hope to see you all out there,” he said.

Originally published as Andy Murray, Thanasi Kokkinakis match ends at 4am as Australian Open schedule slammed