Tennis followers starved of motion can sit up for subsequent week when each excursions kick off 2021 in Delray Seaside and Abu Dhabi to open the brand new season nonetheless below excessive stress as a result of coronavirus pandemic.
The primary problem to face was the well being and security protocols and the Covid take a look at as a result of it was new for us and we’re speaking about many issues like on-site testing, creating bubble with the resort, transport from airport to resort, from resort to match, then backwards and forwards between match and resort. We’re speaking about a whole bunch and a whole bunch of assessments over the course of 10-12 days. John Butler, Match Director Delray Seaside
The Delray Seaside Open begins off the ATP Tour from Monday, 4 January, having moved from its unique date that clashed with the Australian Open’s transfer to eight February.
Organisers have made vital adjustments within the midst of the worldwide pandemic to make sure that the match in Florida takes place safely.
The 2021 version would be the solely ATP Tour occasion to characteristic each the ATP 250 and the ATP Champions Tour and attendance shall be capped at 2000, just below 25 % of the Delray Seaside Tennis Middle’s capability, to accommodate social distancing whereas all attendees shall be required to put on masks throughout the match.
The Delray Seaside Open will characteristic the ATP Tour Legends match from 4 to six January and the ATP 250 qualifying spherical on 5-6 January.
The principle draw for the ATP 250 match, which can characteristic 28 singles gamers and 16 doubles groups, will begin on 7 January.
There are two periods on daily basis till the day of the ultimate on Wednesday 13 January.
“The primary problem to face was the well being and security protocols and the Covid take a look at as a result of it was new for us and we’re speaking about many issues like on-site testing, creating bubble with the resort, transport from airport to resort, from resort to match, then backwards and forwards between match and resort,” mentioned Match Director John Butler.
“We’re speaking about a whole bunch and a whole bunch of assessments over the course of 10-12 days.
“It’s going to be robust and it’ll take a few years to get again on par.
“We’re limiting ourselves to 2000 spectators per session.
“We’re at the moment implementing the very best requirements. We aren’t obliged to do that below the principles of Florida, however we’re doing it to make sure the security of the gang”,
The Delray Seaside line-up options 4 former champions Kei Nishikori (2008), Sam Querrey (2016), Frances Tiafoe (2018) and Reilly Opelka (2020), three-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray, John Isner and Christian Garin.
Murray will begin the Delray Seaside match as a wild-card.
“I’m wanting ahead to beginning the 2021 season in Delray Seaside. This occasion shall be a great take a look at for me and I’m excited to be again enjoying on the Tour”, mentioned Murray.
© ATPTour.com
In the meantime, the WTA 500 occasion, which runs from January 5-13 at Zayed Sports activities Metropolis Worldwide Tennis Centre, will characteristic 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, WTA World No.5 Elina Svitolina, former World No.1 Karolina Pliskova and Aryna Sabalenka, winner of the final two WTA titles of the 2020 season.
This can be a new occasion on the ladies’s tour and encompasses a 64 singles most important draw and 32 doubles pairs, with $565,530 in prize cash on supply.
It preceeds the Australian Open qualifying as a consequence of happen in Dubai from 10-13 January, with each occasions then permitting for journey to Melbourne from one in all Tennis Australia’s designated constitution flight hubs of Dubai, Singapore and Los Angeles.
On conclusion of these occasions, gamers and their respective help groups will journey to Australia the place they’ll full the necessary two-week quarantine.
Following the quarantine interval, two WTA 500 tournaments shall be held concurrently in Melbourne Park from 31 January – 7 February.
The 2021 Australian Open will then happen from 8-21 February inclusive of singles, doubles and blended doubles.
A WTA 250 shall be held the second week of the Australian Open, permitting athletes to stay in Melbourne, securing three weeks of competitors.
Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO, mentioned: “We’re excited to announce the primary swing of tournaments representing the opening weeks of the 2021 WTA season, all of which can function in an surroundings that places well being and security on the forefront.
“We need to specific our honest appreciation for the cooperation between key tennis stakeholders and organisations, together with the native well being authorities who’ve been important in getting us up to now.
“The laborious work will proceed as we glance additional forward into 2021 to make sure a secure and strong calendar.”
The WTA has but to announce any additional particulars of its calendar past Melbourne, however the ATP has scheduled the primary quarter of its Tour for 2021.
© WTAtennis.com
