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read moreAfter months of speculation, it has been revealed that next year’s Australian Open will now start as of 8th February.
The date was confirmed in an email from Tennis Australia Chief Executive, Craig Tiley to players, coaches and managers, reported by News Corp Australia.
In the email, Tiley advised that the Victorian Government had agreed to special conditions allowing the players to prepare and train in Melbourne with two weeks of quarantine required prior to the tournament.
This will see the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park, previously scheduled to take place from 18th to 31st January, run from 8th February and run until 21st February.
Tiley’s email advised “it's taken a while, but the great news is it looks like we are going to be able to hold the Australian Open on February 8.
"Players will have to quarantine for two weeks from January 15, but the Victorian Government has agreed to special conditions for Australian Open participants - agreeing that they need to be able to prepare for a Grand Slam.
"There will be strict conditions, but after quarantine, players are free to stay where they want, go where they want, play lead-in matches and then compete in an Australian Open in front of significant crowds in a great Melbourne atmosphere for the first time in many months."
Following the News Corp report, Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews advised that he didn’t want players to arrive in Melbourne until early January.
Speaking during a Wednesday press conference, Premier Andrews aid he remained committed to holding the tournament but stated “it can likely be assumed that players will bring the virus here.
“Every other grand slam (is in locations where) cases are running wild … so we are unique in that we’ve built something that no one else has built across the nation… and on that basis, we have to safeguard that, and I think we can.”
As part of the plans, it is reported the players must test negative to COVID-19 on the first day of their isolation in order to be allowed to train, and will then be tested another four times before the start of the Australian Open.
In 2020, the Australian Open was the only one of the four Grand Slams not to be impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
Wimbledon was cancelled, while the French Open and US Open were both postponed but eventually held in bubbles.
The movement of players was restricted in both Paris and New York and they were regularly tested, but did not have to self-isolate for 14 days.
High-profile Australian players including world number one Ashleigh Barty opted against playing in the US Open and French Open.
The 8th February start date might allow for a week of warm-up tournaments after the players emerge from quarantine, but other pre Australian Open tournaments, including the men’s flagship ATP Cup are likely be among the build-up events that have to be scrapped in 2021.
23rd November 2020 - Victoria enters last step Coronavirus status with easing for gyms, pools, sport venues and museums
5th November 2020 - Victorian Government launches online sustainability resource for local recreation and sport facilities
14th October 2020 - California Sports Surfaces announced as ITF’s official preferred court supplier
4th October 2020 - Australian Open looks for 2021 event to run at half capacity
22nd September 2020 - Fans put Gabba’s AFL Grand Final seating plan to the test
2nd September 2020 - MCG secures AFL Grand Final contract extension
25th August 2020 - AFL restructuring sees integration of management at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium
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
28th July 2020 - Golf Australia advises that Australian Open will not be held this year
3rd July 2020 - Tennis Australia commits to staging 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne
25th June 2020 - Victorian fans to be prevented from attending NRL and AFL games in NSW
24th April 2020 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces framework for return of sport
4th February 2020 - Australian Open 2020 welcomes largest ever tournament crowds
20th January 2020 - New report aims to prompt recognition of climate change threat to Australian Open
14th January 2020 - Melbourne’s poor air quality impacts Australian Open qualifier event
9th September 2019 - Latest stage of Melbourne Park redevelopment now complete
25th July 2019 - Tennis Australia to change hardcourt surface for Australian Open
10th January 2019 - Melbourne Park ready for 2019 Australian Open
29th December 2018 - New Australian Open extreme heat policy to allow 10-minute breaks in men’s matches
3rd September 2018 - Tennis Australia appoints new Chief Insights and Marketing Officer
23rd January 2018 - Australian Open fans turned away after buying resale tickets
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