Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Small number of Australian Open players and staff to receive COVID-19 medical exemptions

Small number of Australian Open players and staff to receive COVID-19 medical exemptions
December 23, 2021

The organisers of next year’s Australian Open have confirmed a “small percentage” of competing tennis professionals and staff will be granted medical exemptions from the need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to come to Australia for the summer tennis season.

Australian Open Tournament Director, Craig Tiley confirmed on Wednesday that a small cohort of players and staff would be allowed to compete at the tournament without being vaccinated after being granted medical exemptions.

Tennis Australia had faced the prospect of losing leading players if only those who are vaccinated are allowed to enter Australia to compete.

Tiley expressed confidence that two of the world’s biggest names in men’s tennis, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will play the first Grand Slam of 2022.

In recent days, Spanish star Nadal has tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Spain after making his comeback from injury in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week while uncertainty surrounds the vaccination status of men's World No. 1 k Djokovic.

Djokovic has repeatedly refused to declare his vaccination status which has placed him at odds with the Victorian Government which had ruled that only fully vaccinated players, their entourages, staff and fans would be able to attend the tournament, which runs from 17th to 30th January.

Tennis Australia is expecting the first of up to 3000 players and support staff toarrive in either Sydney or Melbourne from 28th December.

Fan capacity was reduced during this year's disrupted event, which included five days without any spectators because of a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne.

Looking forward to the 2022 edition, Tiley stated "we have zero expectation of a cap on crowds (but) if there's a position (where) we have to limit numbers, we'll respond accordingly."

Related Articles

22nd December 2021 - AMPSEA partners with Sportscover to deliver National Insurance Scheme

9th December 2021 - ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Roadshow reaches 200,000 racquet milestone

7th December 2021 - International Tennis Federation will not back Women’s Tennis Association China boycott

3rd December 2021 - COVID-19 restrictions and player quarantine for Australian Open see Tennis Australia record $100 million loss

24th November 2021 - Transformed Memorial Drive Tennis Centre to host blockbuster Adelaide International events

22nd November 2021 - Uncertainty over status of Chinese tennis star set to impact major sporting events

22nd November 2021 - Australian borders to open for fully vaccinated international students from 1st December

20th November 2021 - Vaccinated crowds to return for 2022 Australian Open but unvaccinated players will be barred

19th November 2021 - Victorian Government to ease COVID-19 restrictions as vaccination rates nears 90%

18th November 2021 - ITF World Tennis Tour to provide over 1000 events in 2022

10th November 2021 - Unvaccinated NRL players banned from playing or training in Queensland and Victoria

2nd November 2021 - Ticketek integrates mobile tickets with COVID check-in and vaccination status apps

25th October 2021 - Tennis Australia partners with Special Olympics Australia to become more inclusive

25th October 2021 - Cricket Victoria updates stakeholders on vaccine requirements for community sport resumption

24th October 2021 - Victorian Government charts ‘return to normality’ as vaccination rates rise

2nd September 2021 - Victorian Government to impose stricter rules for unvaccinated athletes at 2022 Australian Open

17th July 2021 - International sport environment bodies call for global health protocols for venue operations

29th June 2021 - Golf Australia confirms Australian Open will be played in Sydney in 2021

16th June 2021 - Tennis Australia announces Chief Commercial Officer appointment

10th June 2021 - Safety measures introduced by Ticketmaster and Australian Open ensured a successful event

7th April 2021 - Players and coaches to benefit from Tennis Australia technology partnership with SwingVision

23rd February 2021 - Reduced crowd numbers sees Australian Open anticipating $99 million loss

17th February 2021 - Fans to return to Australian Open and indoor fitness and sport to resume as Victoria lifts Coronavirus lockdown

15th February 2021 - Australian Open generates most positive ‘buzz’ among sporting events and competitions

12th February 2021 - Infosys enhances the digital experience for Australian Open virtual audience

12th February 2021 - Australian Open to continue without crowds as Victorian Government closes facilities during new lockdown

21st January 2021 - Tennis Australia commits to Australian Open and paying for players’ hotel quarantine

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

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


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

COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA

Commercial Aquatics Australia provides aquatic solutions nationwide and is one of the largest and most experienced companies specialising in the design, construction, renovation, service, maintenance…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

GREENEDESK

Track. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Education / Fitness / Technology

 
 

BH Fitness

BH Fitness, part of the long-standing and iconic bike manufacturer BH Group, is a global leader in fitness equipment for both Commercial and Home markets. The company, with the headquarters based in…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Humanforce

Humanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Technology / Venues

 
 

PathMinder

PathMinder Pty Ltd have partnered with AllUser Industries srl to bring Europe’s most advanced high security portals to the Australian and New Zealand markets. AllUser Industries started to…

read more

Access / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

Technogym Australia

Technogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia  and Australia, Technogym exports its…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Altitude Training Systems

ATS are global leaders in altitude training and research. From mask systems and inflatable tents to simulated altitude facilities, we help all athletes gain the competitive edge. Our…

read more

Fitness / Sport / Technology

 
 

Debitsuccess

Debitsuccess is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Golf / Recreation

 
 
 
 

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