Australian Open ‘most likely’ to be delayed, admits minister for major events
The Australian Open will 'most likely' be delayed by at least a week, a government minister responsible for the tournament has said.
Mar tin Pakula, the state of Victoria' s sport and major events minister, told reporters he had seen reports the year's first tennis major was "likely to be delayed by a week or two".
"I think that's still the most likely. But it' s not the only option. As you know, the French Open was delayed by many months and Wimble - don didn't occur at all," he said outside the Victorian Parliament.
"I still think it's much more likely that it will be a shorter rather than longer delay. I don't want to unduly repeat myself but these are very complex negotiations."
It comes days after organisers said they hoped to finalise tournament dates "as soon as possible" amidspe cu lation January's event could be moved to February or March.
Current Covid-19 quarantine restrictions in Australia would make holding the first grand slam of 2021 in its planned January 18-31 slot logistically difficult.
At present, players would need to quarantine for two weeks on arrival in Australia while Victoria will reportedly not allow them to enter before January 1.
That would have a big impact on warm-up tournaments and players' general ability to train and prepare.
Mr Pa ku la said :" The exact nature of that quaranti ne, whether or not it' s their own bubble, or some - thing more common, is still part of those conversations.”