After a bit of a delay due to discussions over quarantine arrangements, the Australian Open has finally been locked in for a February 8 start.
The men’s final will be played on 21 February.
Tickets are on sale now but with a 25 per cent capacity for the time being. Due to COVID-19 restrictions you will need to buy a ticket for a distinct zone within Melbourne Park.
The three zones are Rod Laver Arena Zone, Margaret Court Arena Zone and John Cain Arena (formerly Melbourne Park and HiSense Arena) Zone.
For this 2021 Australian Open the qualifying will be held overseas with the women’s event taking place in Dubai, and men’s qualifying in Doha from 10-13 January.
Overseas players will arrive in Australia from 15 January and undertake mandatory quarantine for 14 days however they will have the ability to train during this time.
Players will compete for more than $80 million in prize money during their time in Australia, with the AO total prize pool remaining at the 2020 level of $71.5 million. Players exiting in the first round of the AO will take home $100,000, up 15 per cent from 2020.
All lead up tournaments that would normally be held around Australia will be played in Melbourne.
“This will be an historic Australian Open on so many levels,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“For the first time in more than 100 years the Australian Open will start in February and we look forward to offering the players what we believe will be one of their best playing experiences in 2021.
“From the outset, ensuring players have the best possible preparation for the Australian Open, while at all times protecting the precious COVID-free environment that the Victorian community has built through incredible sacrifice and hard work over the past six months, has been paramount.
“It has taken eight months of working alongside government authorities, here in Victoria, nationally and interstate, to give us the opportunity to present an Australian Open that will play a major role in both the economic and psychological reinvigoration and rejuvenation of Melbourne and Victoria.
“AO 2021 is going to be all about supporting local businesses – our tennis coaches, the farmers, food and wine producers, chefs, artists and musicians – and celebrating everything that is great about our country, as well as providing opportunities to those who’ve been so hard hit during the pandemic, particularly in Melbourne and Victoria,” said Tiley.
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