Australian Tennis Summer calendar updated, a new WTA tournament for only hard quarantine players to take place before Australian Open 2021


Australian Tennis Summer calendar updated, a new WTA tournament for only hard quarantine players to take place before Australian Open 2021
Australian Open 2021 commences from February 8

The Australian Tennis Summer calendar is updated once again in view of the chaos that has been caused by the quarantine facilities in Melbourne. 72 players are subjected to hard quarantine after a member on their chartered flight to Australia tested covid positive.

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There will now be three WTA 500 events before the Australian Open 2021, two of those will go as per schedule from Jan 31-Feb 6 but with reduced draw sizes. Additionally, one extra WTA 500 event has been added for the players who are undergoing hard quarantine. The tournament is named the Grampians Trophy and will take place from February 3-7.

This has been a particularly challenging time for the athletes in hard lockdown and we, along with the WTA and ATP, aim to do everything we can to help,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.

These changes to the lead-in events have been made to give the 72 players a little bit of extra time to help them prepare. We also will prioritise them for things like practice sessions, gym and ice baths,” he added.

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This revised schedule comprised of three WTA 500 events in the week leading into the upcoming Australian Open will allow for our athletes coming out of the respected quarantine period to properly focus on their preparation in a return to competition,” WTA CEO Steve Simon said.

Minor changes in the ATP calendar

In terms of the ATP Calendar, there have been minor changes. The two ATP 250 events scheduled to begin from January 31 will now commence from February 1, each featuring a draw size of 56 players. On the other hand, the ATP Cup, has also been pushed back by a day and will now start from February 2.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi also added, “Our number one goal with Tennis Australia and the WTA was to be as fair as possible to the players coming out of a hard quarantine.”

The extra 24 hours before the first ATP Tour events together with priority over practice and preparation will help. We are eager to start what I am sure will be a fantastic summer of tennis in Melbourne in front of our great Australian fans,” he said.

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The blockbuster week of AO lead-in events includes:  

WTA 500 Gippsland Trophy 31 January – 6 February

WTA 500 Yarra Valley Classic 31 January – 6 February

ATP 250 Great Ocean Road Open 1 – 7 February

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ATP 250 Murray River Open 1 – 7 February

WTA 500 Grampians Trophy 3 – 7 February

WTA 250 Phillip Island Trophy 13 – 19 February

ATP CUP– 2 – 6 February

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Also Read: Dayana Yastremska’s appeal against a provisional doping suspension rejected ahead of the Australian Open 2021