Australian Open 2021: Police to supervise training sessions


Australian Open 2021: Police to supervise training sessions

The Australian Open is likely to go ahead a week later than planned with police-supervised practice sessions as per Brett Phillips, a court announcer at the Australian Open and the ATP Cup.

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The state of Victoria reached 25 days without a Covid-19 case on Wednesday, although players will be allowed to enter the country only after January 1st and must follow a 14-day quarantine ahead of the opening Grand Slam leaving only a four-day gap to practise.

Also a Radio presenter, Brett Phillips tweeted on Tuesday a claim that all practice sessions will be supervised by Victorian police.

Australian Open likely to be delayed

Sofia Kenin and Novak Djokovic, the defending champtions

Negotiations between Tennis Australia and the Australian Government are amid ongoing uncertainty regarding when the first Grand Slam event will start.

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Last week dealt a heavy blow to the tournament after it was confirmed that players will not be allowed to enter the country in December as previously hoped. Instead they can enter from January 1st but will then have to go through a 14-day quarantine where they will not be allowed to play any competitive tennis.

It is also still unclear as to what will be happening to other tournaments that were set to be held in the country such as the ATP Cup, Brisbane International and others. Tennis Australia had previously said they intend to relocate some of their events to Melbourne in order to minimize travel. However, due to the delay in players arriving those plans are in doubt.

On Saturday, Tennis Australia claimed a report the opening Grand Slam of 2021 would move back from its original dates of January 18-31 was speculation, but Victorian Sports and Tourism Minister Martin Pakula has said that is ‘now likely’. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said over the weekend that a date for the Australian Open should be confirmed within 14 days.

Also Read: Australian Open 2021 faces up to two-week delay, reveals Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula

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