Australian Open chief says there are ‘unanswered questions’ around the Covid variant

Covid-19’s new variant of concern is alarming Australian Open officials and Tennis Australia as their Grand Slam is vastly approaching.
The World Health Organisation has branded the new variant as Omicron and it was first discovered in South Africa, causing countries around the globe to enforce strict travel bans and guidelines, including Australia who paused the latest phase of the easing of their border restrictions which was due to start December 1.
Head of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley, is uncertain about the situation but is confident the Australian Open will still go ahead if the situation doesn’t drastically deteriorate.
“We knew that when we announced the event there would be some more challenges just because of the nature of the world we have been living in for the last two years,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions around this and I think in the next 14 days we will get some more clarity.
“But at this point the plans are going ahead as they are.”
Players are due to be flying out to the country for the season-opening major in a few weeks with the first flights arriving between December 27-28.
As it stands everyone will be required to take a PCR test before departing and then take another test when they arrive in Australia, however in the state of Victoria where the tournament is being held, it is now mandatory to isolate for 14 days if anyone becomes infected with the new Omicron variant or is a close contact of someone who has.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement: “We will continue to take sensible and responsive evidence based action, led by medical experts.
“This will ensure we can open safely, and stay safely open as we learn to live with the virus.”
Get set for a MASSIVE summer of tennis.
👉 https://t.co/UJNVZXE5OZ 📅#AusOpen 🔜 #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/y7M4BII86s
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) November 25, 2021
It isn’t just the Australian Open that Tiley is concerned about but Tennis Australia are also planning to stage 17 tournaments in January in different states around the country which all have differing rules on vaccination status.
Victoria which is hosting the Grand Slam requires all players to be fully vaccinated in order to take part in the tournament, however this won’t be the same for all states and therefore all competitions have different rules which Tennis Australia will have to monitor.
Novak Djokovic has been hitting the headlines due to his refusal to reveal his vaccination status, and his dad has called out the organisers of the competition, branding their policy of only allowing fully jabbed players to take part in the Australian Open as “blackmail.”
The Australian Open is due to start January 17.
Latest
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas labelled a dream final
It is almost time to settle the new World No 1.
-
Australian Open
Inside story on the technology propelling Stefanos Tsitsipas to the top
Adidas have taken its tennis offering to a new level with the release of their Adizero Cybersonic tennis shoe.
-
News
Australian Open day 12 wrap: Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas set popcorn final
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won their fourth successive Australian Open title in men’s wheelchair doubles.
-
Australian Open
Elena Rybakina made Australian Open favourite despite poor record against Aryna Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina’s experience of winning a Grand Slam gives her the edge.
-
Australian Open
2023 Australian Open men’s final info, form, H2H, what they said, preview: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Novak Djokovic
Get all the info ahead of the Australian Open men’s final.
-
Australian Open
WATCH: Emotional Novak Djokovic makes his point at press conference
Novak Djokovic admitted he has been shaken by the storm around his father after pro-Russian flag photo.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic hopes to draw a line under Russian flag controversy
Novak Djokovic has released a statement clarifying the family position.
-
Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka in control of her own Australian Open destiny: ‘I’m my psychologist’
Aryna Sabalenka will take on Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the final.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic stays in hunt for La Decima at Australian Open despite meltdown, tantrum, unforced errors galore
Novak Djokovic one Australian Open win away from La Decima.
-
News
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid do it again as they win fourth Australian Open title in a row
The pair were dominant in victory over Dutch duo Maikel Scheffers and Ruben Spaargaren.