Aust Open decision imminent

Officials hope it will be only a matter of days before they can confirm the 2021 Australian Open tennis will proceed in February.

Victorian Sports and Tourism Minister Martin Pakula yesterday said he remained ‘‘very confident’’ the Melbourne grand slam would proceed but there is little chance it would start as scheduled on January 18.

It remains most likely the Open will start in February, with a week of leadup events to take place on site at Melbourne Park after players have completed two weeks of quarantine.

Players are expected to arrive in Australia from January 15 and will be allowed to practise for up to five hours a day while in quarantine.

‘‘We’re getting closer every day,’’ Pakula said about an impending announcement.

‘‘We’re continuing to talk with Tennis Australia and the chief health officer and indeed the Commonwealth.

‘‘I’m very confident the Australian Open will go ahead.

‘‘I’m very confident it will go ahead in the first part of the year, but we’ve just got a few Is to dot and Ts to cross and hopefully that’ll happen in the next few days.’’

Pakula is conscious that everyone involved in the tournament needs certainty.

‘‘But we can’t rush this process. It’s extremely complicated,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s not just about dates, it’s not just about the wishes of the players.

‘‘It’s about making sure the plans for the Australian Open conform with the requirements of the public health team, and we’re doing that work.

‘‘I think everybody would prefer we do that work thoroughly and we have an Australian Open which is both enjoyable for the fans but safe for the community.’’

– AAP