MELBOURNE (REUTERS) – The Australian Open is prone to be delayed by per week or two as negotiations between organisers, the tennis excursions and the Victoria authorities over well being measures proceed, the state’s sports activities minister mentioned on Wednesday (Nov 25).
Tennis Australia (TA) on Saturday dismissed as “hypothesis” a report that the Grand Slam can be moved again from its scheduled Jan 18-31 spot within the calendar.
“There’s various potential dates on the desk,” Victorian Sports activities and Tourism Minister Martin Pakula informed reporters in Melbourne.
“I’ve seen reviews that recommend that it is prone to be delayed by per week or two. I feel that is nonetheless most probably.
“Nevertheless it’s not the one choice. As you already know, the French Open was delayed by many months and Wimbledon did not happen in any respect. I nonetheless assume it is more likely that it will likely be a shorter relatively than longer delay.”
Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews, who on Wednesday celebrated the state’s twenty fifth day with out a new Covid-19 case, mentioned he was assured the match would go forward however that gamers must endure quarantine.
“We’ll have an Australian Open tennis match … however (it’s going to) must look totally different,” Andrews mentioned.
“The remainder of the world is on hearth so there will probably be quarantine for anybody coming to our metropolis and state, there’s simply no means round it. I feel the timing will probably be near the conventional timing, these particulars are being finalised.
“As essential as a tennis match is, we’re not going to jeopardise our coronavirus standing by something apart from the very best requirements.”
Negotiations with well being authorities over the main points of that quarantine had been near a conclusion, Pakula mentioned.
“The quarantine necessities will probably be these which might be in the end agreed with the general public well being (authorities) after which it will likely be a matter for the ATP and the WTA about whether or not or not they’re acceptable,” he added.
“A particularly rigorous testing regime will apply to the gamers each earlier than they depart the port that they arrive in from and after they arrive.”
Australian Open match director Craig Tiley mentioned in a press release on Sunday he was assured he would give you the chance announce the main points of the well being measures “quickly”.
TA additionally plans to maneuver the entire Australian Open build-up tournaments, together with the ATP Cup, to Victoria from cities across the nation.
