The organizers have been working day in and day out to ensure that the 2021 Australian Open adheres to the quarantine-related protocols set forth by the state government. But there were still quite a few concerns around the year’s first Slam, which were addressed by Tiley.
The CEO of Tennis Australia clarified that due to Melbourne potentially reaching the upper limit of the number of people it can host in quarantine, some of the top stars would be relocated to Adelaide. He also confirmed that the ATP’s top 3 - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem - will play an exhibition in Adelaide on 29 and 30 January.
The quarantine conditions for Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic & Dominic Thiem in Adelaide will be the same: Craig Tiley
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem are the players to watch out for at the Australian Open, which has been delayed to February due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now with the separate quarantine arrangements for these three stars, there is even more uncertainty around their preparations for the tournament.
However, Tiley was quick to reassure everyone that the highest safety standards would be implemented in both Adelaide and Melbourne.
Tiley was candid about the troubles faced by Tennis Australia in preparing for the tournaments Down Under. The former tennis coach also revealed some important details about the organizing body’s plans for bringing in not just Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, but the rest of the players and their teams too.
Australian Open site to be divided into 3 zones: Craig Tiley
Craig Tiley also divulged the setbacks he and his team have faced lately, including an airline issue and another with a hotel backing out of quarantining players ahead of the Australian Open.
Earlier this week The Westin Melbourne pulled out of the arrangement to host the players, as the owners of penthouse apartments situated above the property threatened legal action. Tiley also elaborated on the travel problem, revealing that one of the airlines made the decision to not operate flights to Australia due to the country’s COVID-19 protocols.
At the end of the chat, the South African gave an outline of how the different tournaments will be played in different stadiums. He revealed that Melbourne Park will be demarcated into Zones 1, 2 and 3, with the four events - Melbourne 1, Melbourne 2, ATP Cup and Australian Open - to be distributed among those zones.
Tiley went on to remark that he expects Melbourne Park to welcome fans at 50-75 percent of its normal capacity - that is, approximately 400,000 fans. The South African also lamented the absence of six-time champion Roger Federer while discussing the players that had pulled out of the event.
0 votes
