The 2021 Australian Open could be delayed, allowing international players to quarantine in Melbourne.
According to The First Serve’s Brett Phillips, the tournament could be pushed back to either January 25 or February 1.
Next year’s Australian Open is scheduled to start on January 18 and conclude on January 31.
Phillips understands that players, entourages and officials arriving from overseas will be able to quarantine in Melbourne from January 7-21 under Victoria Police supervision.
Players will be allowed to practice whilst in that quarantine bubble, but it’s undecided whether the Australian Open Qualifying tournament or any lead-up tournaments will go ahead.
AO Update: My understanding is that the international players will be able to quarantine from Jan 7-21 supervised by Victoria Police & will be able to practice but not compete.
— BrettPhillips (@BrettAPhillips) November 24, 2020
Jan 25 or Feb 1 start to be confirmed, & decision still to be made on Qualies & lead in tournament/s