Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Australian Open to be moved back to February to allow player quarantine period

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

After 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.

Related Articles

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


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Ticketworx Pty Ltd

Ticketworx (formerly House of Tickets) is Australia and New Zealand’s foremost ticket specialist servicing some 2,700 clients and producing in excess of 30 million per tickets per annum.…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Debitsuccess

Debitsuccess is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Golf / Recreation

 
 

Clubworx

Switch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Hydrocare Pool Services

Hydrocare Pool Services Pty Ltd offer 30 years of experience in aquatic industry features, products and water treatment. Hydrocare Pools has undertaken water treatment for aquatic centres and…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Technology

 
 

AMPD Academy

Originally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Education / Recreation / Safety

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business