AO Interview DeskQuick startDownload PDF
Australian Open · Media Operations

AO Interview Desk quick start

Every interview after a match, booked, timed and confirmed by WhatsApp. The system handles the routine; the desk handles the judgement calls.
Desk all day screenInterviews big screenPress big screenRunner phoneOutlets groups and peopleRooms big screen

How a run works

1

Off court

The player appears in Coming off court. Add requests while they play.

2

Ready, lock, publish

The runner sets Player ready and the team's conditions, then locks. Each outlet gets only its own slot plus the media conference.

3

Runner taps

On the way, Started, Last question, Done at each room. The next outlet hears as it happens.

4

Changes flow

Late, cancelled, moved or finished early: the run retimes from real times and only the outlets affected are told.

Needs you

The only list you have to work. Everything else is already handled.

Unhappy goes to the top3 min amber5 min red + sound
  • Reply answers the whole outlet group. Make a request sends it to the player's runner. Done closes it.
  • Conflict: two colleagues said different things. Tap the answer that stands.
  • Several messages from one outlet land on one card, with an English translation if needed.

What runs itself

Running lateTime kept if it still fits. If not, they move to the end of the run. If the player is already walking to them, nothing moves and the runner is told.
Can't make itSlot shows Cancelled in place, the rest of the run moves up and those outlets get new times.
On my way · What time? · Which room?Answered on the spot.
Thanks · Never mindLogged. Taking back a request closes its card.
Anything elseComes to Needs you with a holding reply already sent.
Undo, 45 minutes. Anything in Handled that changed the schedule, including team conditions, has Undo, then Confirm undo. Slots go back and outlets get a correction. Runner taps and sent messages can't be undone.

Runner phone

Player readyOn the wayStartedLast questionDone, off to…
  • Before lock: set Player ready and any team conditions (question limits or a max time).
  • After lock: four taps per room. Early finishes pull everyone forward.
  • Requests arrive in orange. Ask the team, tap their answer. Yes adds them to the end of the run.
  • Full runner steps overleaf.

Rooms

  • Media conferences: Main Interview Room or Interview Room 2. The bigger name gets Main; anyone moved, moves once and by 15 minutes at most.
  • MC first on a run keeps the media conference ahead of every interview.
  • Tap any slot on the desk to change its room. No room or outlet is ever double booked.
  • People are on Interview Terrace (up to 16) and in every other room.

Outlets and languages

  • Each outlet is a group. Set who gets Everything or On the way only, and who can answer.
  • New people reply YES to join. Colleagues' replies arrive bundled, about once a minute.
  • Write in another language and they're offered it once. English always comes first.
AO Interview Desk · Runner phone

Runner quick start

You're with the player. Your taps set the clock for the whole run, so every outlet waits for the real player, not a guess.

Before you lock

Player ready: when can they start? Pick a time; there's no typing.

Now5 min10 min15 min20 min1 min earlier1 min later
  • Lock and publish books the first slot from Player ready, or now if that has passed, around any room or outlet already busy. The rest follow with walking time.
  • Add the team's conditions before you lock so the first message every outlet gets is already right.
  • Until the player is on the way, you can drag slots to reorder.

Team conditions

1 question only2 minCaps the slot. Only ever shortens it.
2 questions only4 min
3 questions only5 min
Max 3 / 5 / 7 / 10 minexactSets the slot to that length, longer or shorter.
  • + Condition on a slot, or Team conditions for all interviews in the header. The media conference keeps its own.
  • Grey options would change nothing. No limit puts the slot back to its booked length.
  • Outlets see the condition in their confirmation and any update.

Four taps at every room

1

On the way

As you leave for the room.

Outlet hears: On the way, heading to you now.
2

Started

When the interview begins. The slot's clock starts here.

Your phone shows With them since the time you tapped.
3

Last question

When the last question is asked.

Next outlet hears: Nearly there, with a time.
4

Done, off to…

Ends this slot and marks the next one on the way in a single tap. Then Started there.

Last room: Done, run finished.

How times move

Walking time2 min to or from the media conference, 1 min between interviews, none from Terrace to Terrace. Counted from when the last slot really ended.
Finished earlyEveryone after moves forward.
On the wayOnly ever brings times earlier, never later.
Running longTimes after you hold until your next tap, so keep tapping as things happen.
Who gets toldA new room, a move of 5 min or more, or 2 min or more if their slot is within 30 min. Smaller drifts wait and add up.

Off script

  • Player went somewhere else? Walked in here. Everyone after shuffles and is told.
  • Requests arrive in orange. Ask the team, tap Team says yes or no. Yes adds them to the end of the run.
  • Tapped the wrong thing? Taps can't be undone. Tell the desk straight away.

What the next outlet sees