Novak Djokovic’s name on a stadium at the Australian Open is not possible due to the Victorian government says tournament director Craig Tiley

Tiley answered why Australia doesn't have a single stadium named after Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic’s name on a stadium at the Australian Open is not possible due to the Victorian government says tournament director Craig Tiley

Novak Djokovic (Image via: Imago)

Serbian tennis pro Novak Djokovic shattered several records earlier this year by winning his fourth championship at the US Open 2023. His 24th Grand Slam win further solidified the Serb’s position as one of the best tennis players of all time, with his Slam Major count now equaling Margaret Court. On this eve, the director of the Australian Open has recently revealed if the Open might name a stadium after the 36-year-old.

Craig Tiley, the director of the Australian Open, was asked if the tournament would consider naming a stadium after him, given that he has won the most titles in the Open. Djokovic has won a record 10 titles in the tournament, which is the most for any tennis player. Tiley was posed with the question, How will Australia “pay back” the Serb?

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The Australian revealed that the decision to rename a stadium is not his to make. “The decision and the naming of the stadium is not mine or Tennis Australia’s. A lot of people don’t understand that,” Craig revealed in a podcast.

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Explaining himself further, he added, “Unlike Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the US Open, who own everything in their complexes, our buildings are owned by the Victorian Government and we rent them. We don’t own them and they(the other Slams) invest in them.” (H/T: kurir.rs)

The Australian later commented on his thoughts on Novak having a stadium named after him. “I would certainly be in favor of such an honor being given to Novak in some way, for his incredible achievements in Australia,” Tiley said. He also revealed that the tennis federation wants to privately own stadiums and looks forward to it in the future.

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What are the preparations before the Australian Open?

Director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, recently revealed how various Slams are held across the world on the “Rock and Roll Tennis” podcast. He also revealed who owns the stadiums as he answered a popular question.

Arthur Ashe stadium during US Open(Source/sports ganga)
Arthur Ashe stadium during US Open(Source/sports ganga)

“Sometime in September or December, we move in, we do everything related to the event itself, and we move out again sometime by the middle of February,” Craig said as he explained how the tennis federation holds the Australian Open despite not owning a single stadium in the country. 

“Then concerts and other manifestations are held there. Then you don’t even see stadiums and fields. We want to have something of our own, because in that case we would have space for more tennis activities during the year,” he stated.

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