A three-round qualification tournament before the first round of the Australian Open "could be canned to ensure the grand slam will only be delayed one week," following reports over the weekend that the tournament risked being pushed into February. Sources with knowledge of the negotiations between Tennis Australia and the Victorian government said that TA is "very eager to ensure the tournament begins in January for two reasons." Commencing one week after the initial Jan. 18 start date "would see some part of the tournament" take place during the Australian school holidays and it "would also appease broadcaster Nine." One way to start on Jan. 25 is to "cut the number of players and staff flying to Australia" -- a path taken by the U.S. Open earlier this year.
Sources said that TA officials are "acutely aware that they will receive push-back from both the ATP and WTA," but the solution "may see the Victorian government green light a late December arrival date for tennis' biggest stars." Whether they will have to complete a "strict 14-day quarantine or a mix of a soft and hard quarantine is still being discussed" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 11/23).
Tournament planning is "in chaos but meetings between organisers and the Victorian state government" that were set to take place between Saturday and Tuesday "aim to finalise the timing." Meanwhile, the Australian Open’s junior events "have been postponed." Australian Open Tournament Dir Craig Tiley and Australian Open Junior Championships Tournament Dir Francis Soyer said they plan to "hold a replacement tournament" in '21 (THE AGE, 11/23).
