Emageo Group Managing Director Sam Maxwell has explained what happens behind the scenes of the Australian Open in the latest episode of Sport Insights with Emageo.
Maxwell admitted it was a busy time for an agent looking after multiple players across the two weeks of the grand slam.
This year’s edition has seen weather issues, which has forced several reshuffles of the schedule.
Maxwell also explained how long a player could typically spend inside Melbourne Park on the day that they play, using Andrew Harris as an example.
He said the fact Harris was up first on one of the courts with a roof on Monday simplified his preparation because he had known he would be on court at 11am.
“He probably got on-site about 7.30 and would have practiced about half an hour, 45 minutes on Melbourne Arena, went inside, showered, changed, had something to eat and would have been ready to go by about 10,” Maxwell said. “Then into his warm up routine with his coach and his fitness trainer and then sort of roughly 10 minutes before the match the players are called from the Locker Room.
“Melbourne Arena is actually a fair way from the Locker Room at Melbourne Park so he would have jumped on a golf cart buggy and would have been taken to the court. Then at 11 on the dot he’s called on the court, the warm up starts and away he goes.”
Maxwell said what happened post-match could vary.
“It depends upon the player – who they are and who they played, how they went,” he said. “Once they get to the Locker Room the press requests come through. So if any media outlets want to do any interviews, whether that be for TV, print, online or radio, they’ll come through. So Andrew was called to press at about 2pm. That comes through to us so we’ll accompany Andrew to the media room.
“After his match Andrew had to do print, online and a quick radio interview. After that he’d have something to eat and then it’s recovery and get ready, either for the next match if you win and you’re onto the next round or if you’re still in the draw.
“It’s a long day. To use Andrew as an example, he wouldn’t have left probably until about 5.”