Victorian Government confirms Australian Open's February dates and future at Melbourne Park

The Victorian Government has today confirmed that the 2021 Australian Open will be played from 8th to 21st February and that the grand slam event will continue to be played at Melbourne Park until 2039.

Emphasising that public health would be a “top priority” and that efforts would be taken “to maximise safety for players and the wider community”, Victorian acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Jaclyn Symes confirmed the Australian Open’s dates players to serve 14-day quarantine periods in the state before embarking on their campaigns for the first grand slam of the year.

Advising that “the 2021 Open will look a bit different and that’s necessary to ensure the safety of everyone, from players, ballkids and the wider community”, acting Minister Symes explained that the quarantine plans have been endorsed by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer with the Victorian Government to work with Tennis Australia to finalise a COVIDSafe Plan that ensures the safety of all parties.

She also advised that Tennis Australia has extended its Australian Open commitment to Melbourne by three years, guaranteeing that the tournament will remain a summer fixture in the nation’s sporting capital for at least another 19 years.

The partnership ensures Tennis Australia’s continued support of sub-professional tournaments and regional and community tennis events in Victoria, as well as enhanced exposure for Victoria during the tournament.

It is anticipated that players will arrive in Melbourne from mid-January, undertaking a mandatory two-week quarantine period that permits them to train for a maximum of five hours per day at a secure facility.

Players and their support teams will be tested prior to departing for Australia and then a minimum of five times during their quarantine period. If they test positive, they will be subject to standard quarantine arrangements until being cleared by public health officials.

The Australian Open attracts thousands of visitors to Melbourne and in 2020 contributed more than $380 million to the Victorian economy. Crowd details for February will be confirmed in due course.

Image courtesy of The P.A.People.