Vaccinated crowds to return for 2022 Australian Open but unvaccinated players will be barred

Crowds will return to Melbourne Park for the 2022 Australian Open in January next year, but they, as well as players, will have to be vaccinated.

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley confirmed this morning that players must be vaccinated to take part in 2022 tournament, meaning that Novak Djokovic will need to have been inoculated against Coronavirus if he wants to defend his title.

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley speaking this morning.

Speaking on Channel Nine, Tiley said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had outlined the position for the tournament stating “it's been made very clear, when the Premier announced several weeks ago that in order to participate at the Australian Open, to come into Victoria, you’ll need to be fully vaccinated.

"Immediately we communicated that to the playing group, it is the one direction that you take that is going to ensure everyone’s safety.

Exterior of the new Court One at Melbourne Park.

"All the playing group understands it, our patrons will need to be vaccinated, all the staff working at the Australian Open will need to be vaccinated.”

Unveiling the new 5,000-seat Court One arena and a new dining precinct at Melbourne Park, along with media facilities and broadcast studios, Tiley spoke of expecting bumper crowds to attend the venue in January for the full Grand Slam program along with two weeks of lead in tournaments.

Speaking alongside Victoria's Sport and Major Events Minister, Martin Pakula, Tiley stated “the Australian Open will be back in all its glory in January and provide a massive boost to the city, the state and the country as it plays a major role in helping Melbourne roar back to life.”

The tournament will also feature new fan activations, with the introduction of the spectacular new AO Beach House, designed to bring the laidback holiday vibes to life within the new dining precinct.

The AO Beach House, one of a series of engagement initiatives at the Australian Open.

The new dining precinct is also host to the Penfolds Restaurant, a four-course fine-dining experience; the more casual Penfolds Bistro and the extravagantly luxurious and perfectly pink Max’s Rosé Bar, on the terrace overlooking Garden Square.

Australian Open 2022, supported by major partner Kia Motors in association with Emirates, Luzhou Laojiao and Rolex, will take place at Melbourne Park from 17th to 30th January 2022.

Images: Victorian Sport and Major Events Minister, Martin Pakula and Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley inside the nearly complete Court One at Melbourne Park. All images credit: Tennis Australia/Australian Open.