Australian Open to start on 8 Feb: ATP

Tennis balls are pictured in front of the Australian Open logo before the tennis tournament – Reuters 

MELBOURNE (Reuters): The Australian Open will start on 8 February, three weeks later than scheduled, the ATP Tour said in releasing an update of its calendar for 2021 revising the first seven weeks of the season.

The start date of the main draw of the year’s first Grand Slam was originally slated for 18 January and organisers Tennis Australia have been in drawn-out negotiations with local government over COVID-19 health measures.

Tennis Australia was not immediately available for comment.

The ATP release said men’s qualifying for the Australian Open would take place in Doha from 10-13 Jan. before players relocated to Melbourne to enter quarantine.

The ATP tournament scheduled to take place in Adelaide has been moved to Melbourne to be played in the week commencing 31 Jan. alongside another men’s tournament in the city.

A shortened version of the ATP Cup men’s team tournament will take place in Melbourne from 1-5 Feb. before the Grand Slam begins on the following Monday.

The ATP season will open with tournaments in Delray Beach, Florida and Antalya in Turkey before preparations for Melbourne Park begin.