It could also see the Kooyong Tennis Club hosting a tournament but not necessarily in the Kooyong Classic format. Kooyong Classic 2021 was cancelled earlier this year due to COVID-19 pandemic.
1 Like
Yeah, lots to work out, could also end up seeing MP host tournaments concurrently given the number of courts with spectator facilities there.
It will certainly be a very different summer of tennis.
1 Like
Sporting capital of the world strikes again!
3 Likes
However TA’s plan to move all the warm-up events to Victoria has been put in doubt.
2 Likes
Medvedev became the first player in the 50-year history of the tournament to beat the world’s three leading players at the same event. He defeated Djokovic, Nadal and Thiem on his way to claim the season-ending title.
3 Likes
https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1331366554227798017?s=20
But the Premier said he was not willing to do anything that would risk a third wave of COVID-19 infections under his watch.
“The rest of the world is on fire, so there will be quarantine for anyone coming to our city or state,” he said on Wednesday.
“You’ve got 250,000 cases a day in the United States, Europe is not much better, many parts of Asia are really struggling.
“As important as a tennis tournament is, we’re not going to jeopardise our coronavirus status by anything other than the highest standards.”
Andrews said the event was likely to be held “close to” it’s normal January 18-31 timeslot, but “those details are still being finalised” with an announcement to be made “quite soon.”
It is expected only reduced crowds will be permitted at matches to help maintain social distancing and keep spectators “safe”.
2 Likes
1 Like
Some of the comments coming from players are very concerning, they don’t regard covid as a serious issue and think quarantine is a joke. Novak Djokovich has no credibility to be giving advice after what happened in Serbia.
Hopefully there are no compromises made to quarantine and any breaches are punished accordingly.
I dont get why all the pre-tournaments had to be moved to melbourne. surely it would be better to spread the pre-season across the country to thin the demand on hotel quarantine from 1 city. then they all converge on Melbourne when they are free from the 14 days for the AO.
3 Likes
The issue would be potential border closures or outbreaks. Also having them in one place is easier than across multiple states.
1 Like
Victorian sports minister Martin Pakula was on Gerard Whateley’s show on SEN this morning. This is what Pakula said about Australian Open:
1 Like
Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge has eased concerns that the Australian Open could be cancelled, suggesting that the tournament is likely to commence in February.
After reports suggested that the tournament could be in doubt, Tennis Australia released a statement saying that a start date for the Australian Open was close to being finalised.
3 Likes
When will people learn that while anything is being negotiated, whether it be an event, a contract or signing an employee there will always be reports/threats/indications/considerations towards cancelling or walking away. Nothing should be read into any of it.
3 Likes
They’ve come from Scott Gullan at News Corp articles (who don’t have rights to tennis but summer sister cricket - maybe jealous of how high Nine’s tennis rated last Jan?)
Though I did see Dave Culbert say something too
Australian Open to start February 8.
1 Like
Tennis Australia released its latest annual report this week.
1 Like
2 Likes
The ATP have announced revised dates for the start of the new season.
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/atp-announces-updated-start-to-2021-calendar
2 Likes
Melbourne Park will be divided into three zones for next year’s Australian Open, each with its own entrance and pathways. Fans won’t be able to roam around Melbourne Park like previous years and cross from one zone to another.
The three zones are:
Rod Laver Arena, including most of Grand Slam Oval
Margaret Court Arena, including the western courts and Garden Square
John Cain Arena, including the two eastern courts, practice village and part of Grand Slam Oval
Just 25% of the usual 800,000 ticket allowance will go on sale on Wednesday at midday.
More tips on the 2021 Australian Open tickets can be found here
1 Like