Australian Open the ‘most significant international event with crowds the world has seen for many months’

Shahida Jacobs
January 30, 2021

Spectators will be allowed to attend this year’s Australian Open with officials saying they expect “an incredible atmosphere” despite the reduced numbers.

With those taking part in the 2021 hard-court Grand Slam all finishing their 14-day self-isolation and quarantine stints and with the state of Victoria confirming zero coronavirus cases, it is all systems go for the event.

And after months of debate, officials have confirmed that the daily crowd capacity will be 30,000 for the first eight days of the tournament and then it will be to 25,000 per day from the quarter-finals onwards.

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Victorian Minister for Sport Martin Pakula revealed that a total of 390,000 people will be allowed to attend the tournament over the fortnight – about half the average attendance the past few years.

“That means Rod Laver Arena, as we get towards the end of the tournament, will have an incredible atmosphere,” Pakula said.

“Not that much different of an atmosphere as we’ve seen in all the Opens in the years past.

“That’s a testament to the work Victorians have done to get our [coronavirus] numbers to zero.

“But also, the extraordinary work Craig [Tiley] and the team at Tennis Australia have done.

“It will not be the same as the last few years but it will be the most significant international event with crowds the world has seen for many months.”

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