Australian Open shifted by three weeks to February 8 start date, ATP announces

Champion: Novak Djokovic
AFP via Getty Images

The Australian Open has been shifted forward three weeks to begin on February 8, the ATP have announced.

The first Grand Slam of the year had been scheduled to start on January 18 but the change in date was forced after Government officials in Australia refused to budge over not allowing players to arrive until the new year. 

Strict quarantine rules will be in place for all those in the draw, with players arriving on January 15 and having to undergo a 14-day quarantine during which time they will be able to train in a biosecure bubble or else be housed in their hotel. 

The four-day qualifying event for the Australian Open has been shifted to Doha, in Qatar, and will begin on January 10. 

The ATP season will begin with events in Delray Beach and Antalya, Turkey, from January 5-13 with two warm-up events in Melbourne running on January 31 for a week as well as the ATP Cup from February 1-5. 

There had previously been fears over safety with players potentially forced to go straight into playing the Australian Open from the off-season. 

In a statement, ATP chairman  Andrea Guadenzi said: “The reconfigured calendar for the start of the 2021 season represents a huge collaborative effort across tennis under challenging circumstances. 

“Health and safety will continue to be paramount as we navigate the challenges ahead.”  

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