ATP reveals 2021 schedule with Australian Open to start on 8th February

December 17, 2020

The Australian Open in Melbourne will run from 8^th to 21^st February next year, three weeks later than usual, with men’s tennis’s governing body the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) today confirming its 2021 tour schedule has confirmed.

While Tennis Australia and the Victorian and Australian Governments are yet to confirm the dates, the ATP’s release of its revised 2021 calendar shows the Melbourne Park tournament of its post Coronavirus 2021 calendar.

While the ATP is only responsible for men's professional tennis, it is synchronised with the Women's Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation around the four grand slams played every year.

The men's schedule also features three warm-up events in Melbourne, including the relocated Adelaide International and the 12-team ATP Cup, which was played for the first time this year.

However, qualifying for the Australian Open will be held outside the country for the first time, with Doha, Qatar playing host from 10^th to 13^th January.

That will give qualifiers time to travel to Australia and complete two weeks of quarantine before the warm-up events start on 31^st January.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said in announcing the first seven weeks of the men's season, “the reconfigured calendar for the start of the 2021 season represents a huge collaborative effort across tennis, under challenging circumstances.

"Together with the support of our tournament and player members, partners, and Tennis Australia, we have been able to adapt and create an exciting start to the season.

"Health and safety will continue to be paramount as we navigate the challenges ahead, and I want to thank everyone involved for their commitment to finding solutions to launch our 2021 season."

With Wimbledon not held this year and both the US and French Open tournaments each featuring a number of high-profile absentees it is not known what the calibre of the entrants to the first grand slam of 2021 will be.

The Australian Open’s later finish will also see it overlap with the AFL pre-season community series.

The pre-season competition will begin when Geelong host Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on 18th February - the same night as the first Australian Open men's semi-final is likely to be played.

All 18 AFL clubs will play two community series matches over a three-week period as part of the pre-season. Five matches will be played in the opening week, including a Collingwood-Hawthorn match in Morwell on Saturday 20^th February.

16th December 2020 - Olympic Council of Asia awards Asian Games hosting to Doha in 2030 and Riyadh in 2034

15th December 2020 - Tennis Australia reveals receipt of $4.5 million in JobKeeper support during Coronavirus pandemic

8th December 2020 - Tennis Australia announces new board appointments

2nd December 2020 - Australian Open to be moved back to February to allow player quarantine period

9th November 2020 - Victorian Government announces funding for completion of Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium as a 40,000 seat venue

29th October 2020 - Nicole Pratt assigned new role at Tennis Australia to inspire and retain female tennis coaches

19th October 2020 - Victorian Government announces unwinding of Melbourne’s Coronavirus restrictions but with no easing for gyms

14th October 2020 - California Sports Surfaces announced as ITF’s official preferred court supplier

14th October 2020 - Industry comes together to assess impact of COVID-19 on the events and entertainment industry

4th October 2020 - Australian Open looks for 2021 event to run at half capacity

14th September 2020 - Tennis Australia announces Paula Robinson to lead new Gender Equality National Taskforce

13th August 2020 - Tennis Australia’s Craig Tiley anticipates 2021 Australian Open will go ahead with fans in Melbourne

6th August 2020 - World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year

29th July 2020 - WTA Pan Pacific Open cancelled due to Coronavirus fears

28th July 2020 - Golf Australia advises that Australian Open will not be held this year

12th June 2020 - Live Entertainment Industry Forum welcomes potential easing of restrictions on outdoor sport and entertainment venues

24th April 2020 - WTA founder, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal propose merger of ATP and WTA

4th February 2020 - Australian Open 2020 welcomes largest ever tournament crowds

2nd February 2020 - Australian Open showcases best of the nation for international tourists

9th September 2019 - Latest stage of Melbourne Park redevelopment now complete

3rd July 2020 - Tennis Australia commits to staging 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne

25th July 2019 - Tennis Australia to change hardcourt surface for Australian Open

16th May 2019 - Lendlease appointed to manage Stage 3 redevelopment of Melbourne Park

23rd March 2019 - New information screens help guide fans home from Melbourne Park events

10th January 2019 - Melbourne Park ready for 2019 Australian Open

2nd July 2018 - ATP to launch World Team Cup event in Australia

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