Top seeds playing earlier in the week and a combined men’s and women’s final are some of the exciting new features of the 2019 Brisbane International this summer, with the tournament revealing a new playing schedule.
The 2019 Brisbane International will launch with McDonald’s Kids Day on Sunday 30 December, with main draw matches starting on Monday the 31st in time for New Year’s Eve.
“One of the exciting advances you’ll see at Brisbane International 2019 is our refined tournament schedule. This year fans can expect 13 world-class, high quality sessions from Monday 31 December through to Sunday 6 January. The move from 14 sessions in previous years allows us to increase the quality of matches played and guarantees you and your guests will experience the world’s best tennis every time you enter the doors of Pat Rafter Arena,” said Tournament Director Cameron Pearson.
A table of the new sessions for 2019 is below:
| Sunday 30 Dec DAY | McDonald’s® Kids’ Tennis Day Pat Rafter Arena Spectacular |
| Monday 31 Dec DAY | FIRST ROUND |
| Monday 31 Dec NIGHT | FIRST ROUND |
| Tuesday 1 Jan DAY | FIRST/SECOND ROUND |
| Tuesday 1 Jan NIGHT | FIRST/SECOND ROUND |
| Wednesday 2 Jan DAY | SECOND ROUND |
| Wednesday 2 Jan NIGHT | SECOND ROUND |
| Thursday 3 Jan DAY | QUARTER FINALS |
| Thursday 3 Jan NIGHT | QUARTER FINALS |
| Friday 4 Jan DAY | QUARTER FINALS |
| Friday 4 Jan NIGHT | QUARTER FINALS |
| Saturday 5 Jan DAY | WOMEN’S DOUBLES FINAL MEN’S SINGLES SEMIFINAL WOMEN’S SINGLES SEMIFINAL |
| Saturday 5 Jan NIGHT | MEN’S SINGLES SEMIFINAL WOMEN’S SINGLES SEMIFINAL |
| Sunday 6 Jan TWILIGHT | MEN’S DOUBLES FINAL WOMEN’S SINGLES FINAL MEN’S SINGLES FINAL |
The change means seeded players will compete a day earlier than they have in the past, and men’s and women’s semi finals will be played alongside each other later in the week – with a blockbuster Super Sunday session featuring both the men’s and women’s final.
“Highlights of the 2019 schedule include moving every finals match from quarters through to the final onto Pat Rafter Arena for the first time. A combination of Round 1 and 2 across the first three days will also see the top seeded players hit the court earlier than ever before. Plus, arguably the most exciting change of the week comes with combining the men’s and women’s finals into an explosive tournament-first double-header to close the event,” said Pearson.
Players will host on-court clinics during McDonald’s Kid’s Day on December 30, ensuring young fans have an experience they’ll never forger prior to the tournament matches getting underway on New Year’s Eve.
“Family favourite McDonald’s® Kids’ Tennis Day will return to the Brisbane International again in 2019. This special event will launch the week’s action when it hits Pat Rafter Arena on Sunday 30 December. A star-studded line-up of players and your favourite kid’s entertainment will join in for a fun-filled day before the tennis action gets underway on Monday. Kids 16 and under go free on McDonald’s® Kids’ Tennis Day so bring the whole family to celebrate the opening of the tournament.”
For more information, visit our schedule page here.