Order Of Play Today

Origin and history

The concept of a daily "Order of Play" is an administrative creation of organized professional tennis tours. It originated with the formation of the Open Era in the late 1960s, which standardized tournament structures globally. The need for a formal, published schedule became essential as draws grew larger and matches were scheduled across multiple courts. The specific term "Order Of Play Today" evolved as a standard heading for these documents on official tournament and tour websites in the early 2000s. Its digital publication replaced physical postings on tournament noticeboards as the primary method of informing players, media, and spectators. The practice is now a universal fixture at all ATP, WTA, and Grand Slam events, governed by strict rules set by the tours.

What it is for

The Order Of Play Today serves as the official master schedule for all matches occurring on a given tournament day. Its primary function is to assign specific start times and court locations to every singles and doubles match scheduled. It provides players and their teams with definitive information on when they are required to compete, allowing for preparation and warm-up. For officials, it coordinates the workload of chair umpires, line judges, and ball crews across the venue. For broadcasters, it is the essential document for planning live coverage and allocating resources to specific courts. For spectators with grounds passes, it is the guide for navigating the venue to watch particular players or matches.

Overview

An Order Of Play Today is a structured list, typically released by the tournament referee's office the evening before the playing day. It details matches in chronological sequence for each competition court, starting with the day session and often followed by a night session. Each line entry includes the match number, the names of the players or teams, the round of the draw, and the projected start time. The order is determined by the referee in consultation with tour supervisors, considering factors like player rest, television commitments, and spectator appeal. The schedule is dynamic and can be amended due to weather delays, lengthy prior matches, or player withdrawals. It exists alongside the tournament draw, which shows the bracket, and the schedule, which makes it actionable.

What to know

The published start times are estimates, and matches rarely begin exactly as listed due to the unpredictable length of prior contests. Players are typically required to report to the on-site physio or warm-up area one hour before their estimated start time. The order on show courts often places a high-profile match last in a session to maximize audience viewership, which can lead to very late finishes. The schedule is designed to balance fairness, such as not giving a player two matches in one day, with commercial and logistical necessities. Changes after publication are communicated via official tournament channels and updated digital boards around the venue. Understanding the order requires cross-referencing it with the draw to see the ranking points and progression at stake for each competitor.

Common questions

A frequent question is why a particular player is scheduled on a secondary court despite their high ranking, which often relates to broadcaster preferences or session ticket structures. Spectators commonly ask if they can leave the grounds and return, which depends on the ticket type and the tournament's re-entry policy. Many inquire about how rain delays affect the order, which typically leads to a revised schedule that may move matches to indoor courts or compress the timeline. Players and coaches often question the amount of rest between matches, with rules mandating a minimum period that the schedule must respect. People regularly misunderstand that a "not before" time is not a guaranteed start time. Another common query is how doubles matches are prioritized, as they are often placed on outer courts or at less popular times to accommodate the singles schedule.

Pros and cons

A major pro is the clarity and structure it provides to a complex multi-court event, allowing all stakeholders to plan their day with a single document. It creates a predictable framework for television production and ticket sales for specific sessions. However, a significant con is its inherent rigidity in a sport with highly variable match lengths, leading to long waits for players and spectators when earlier matches run short or over. The commercial imperative to place star players in prime television slots can result in unfair competitive disadvantages, such as late-night finishes followed by an early afternoon match the next day. Tournament referees often face criticism from players who feel their placement on outer courts is disrespectful, damaging player-tournament relations. The common mistake for fans is building an inflexible itinerary around it without accounting for inevitable delays, leading to missed matches.

Who it suits

The Order Of Play Today suits tournament organizers and broadcasters perfectly, as it is the central tool for operational and commercial execution. It is essential for serious spectators who wish to follow specific players or matches across the grounds, requiring them to actively monitor changes. It is critically important for players, coaches, and their support teams, for whom it dictates the entire day's logistics and preparation schedule. Media professionals rely on it to allocate photographers and reporters and to meet filing deadlines. It is less suited to casual fans attending for a general experience, who may be better served by wandering the grounds without a strict plan. It is also poorly suited to individuals with mobility issues or young children, as the timing uncertainty and potential court changes can be difficult to manage.