Jim Courier has revealed that Australian Open organisers were drawn into a “massive battle” when it came to arranging Monday’s schedule. No. 2 seed and six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek requested to play in the day session, but it caused all sorts of problems, as Swiatek is taking on popular Aussie qualifier Maddison Inglis.

Swiatek ultimately didn’t get her way, and her fourth-round contest with Inglis was given primetime night session billing. And Courier, a former player-turned-pundit, offered insight into the private discussions that went on when creating the order of play.

The Australian Open schedules are always released the day before play, but Monday’s order of play came out noticeably later than usual on Sunday evening. And Courier has now revealed that organisers were stuck in a long meeting, debating when to stage Swiatek vs Inglis.

“Want some backroom intrigue? So scheduling is always a hot topic. And yesterday’s scheduling meeting went exceptionally long,” the retired former world No. 1 told Tennis Channel.

“There was a massive battle because Swiatek wanted a day match, and the Australian network, which I also work for down here, desperately wanted to have an Australian playing in prime time. That’s what they pay the big money for! And it was a long, drawn out battle.

“I can tell you, it went to the wire, and eventually Channel 9 got what they wanted, and what the tournament also wants, and Iga didn’t get what she wanted. But those are the backroom happenings at tournaments here like this.”

Courier was unsure why Swiatek had requested a day session match, adding: “Why she wanted to play in the day, I don’t know, because once you move forward from here, it’s going to be mostly night matches.

“Certainly, once you get to the semi-finals and final, they are all night matches for the women’s. But there’s lots of little skirmishes happening underneath the tunnels. And by the way, her playing at 11.30am is terrible for Europe also, where she’s from. That’s the middle of the night for them. This makes a lot more sense.”

Swiatek struggled in her last match, dropping a one-sided second set to Anna Kalinskaya before winning 6-1 1-6 6-1. Meanwhile, her opponent, world No. 168 Inglis, is enjoying a dream run at her home Grand Slam tournament. Inglis came through qualifying and then won two tight matches in the main draw to set up a meeting with two-time former champion Naomi Osaka.

However, Osaka withdrew from the tournament due to an abdominal injury just hours before they were due to take to the court, and Inglis got a walkover into the fourth round. This is the 28-year-old’s first-ever appearance in the second week of a Major tournament. And by making it this far, Inglis has already banked £243k ($480k).