Tennis Australia is Hoping to Avoid Fireworks Fireworks.

Written by: Staff on 28th January 2013

Tennis Australia is Hoping to Avoid Fireworks Fireworks.

epa03060141 Shadow of Andy Murray of Great Britain in action during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 15 January 2012. The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, will begin on 16 January. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

At long last, Tennis Australia is negotiating with the Victorian state government to reach a compromise over the annual disruption to play caused by the Australia Day fireworks display. This year the women’s final was held up for nine minutes and next year the national day falls on the date designated for the men’s final.

There is a history of players being affected by the hold up as the skies over Melbourne Park and the rest of the city are illuminated by flashes and thundercracks to celebrate the January 26 landings of the first fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the proclamation of British sovereignty.

Soon after this year’s stoppage in the women’s final, Li Na fell for a second time, causing more damage to an already damaged ankle, and sending Victoria Azarenka closer to victory. A year previously Roger Federer, playing Rafael Nadal in a men’s semi-final, lost 11 successive points after the resumption.

Technically, the decision of whether to halt play or continue, is left to the players, and both competitors must agree.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said talks had begun with the state government to try to find a solution acceptable to both parties ahead of the 2014 event, with the next men’s final scheduled for January 26. He said the interruption was particularly perplexing for the global TV audience, but also had the potential to affect the momentum of a match.

“We are working with the state government to see what possibilities exist,” Tiley told the Melbourne Age. “We’ve been talking about what’s best, because we do want continuous play, but at the same time we want to recognize and celebrate Australia Day, so it’s a bit (caught) between a rock and a hard place.

“There’s no rush, but we’ve just got to work through and see what the best options are. Our operations team is talking to the government, because we want Victorians and Australians to have the fireworks, and we want play to be continuous, so what that involves, I don’t know.”

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Australian Open, Australian tennis news, fireworks, Li Na, Melbourne Park, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News