No quarantine, but players set to be placed in two-week bubble ahead of 2022 Australian Open

Australian Open
Tennis Australia's Craig Tiley inside Rod Laver Arena

Players who enter the 2022 Australian Open are unlikely to face strict quarantine when they arrive in the country next year, but they will be forced to operate in a bio-secure bubble for a two-week period, according to the tournament director.

The 2021 hard-court Grand Slam at Melbourne Park was pushed back by more than a month in order to allow players, their entourages and officials to undergo a strict 14-day quarantine period in designated hotels.

Players were initially only allowed to train a few hours a day, but things are expected to be different next year as Tournament Director Craig Tiley revealed that those involved in the 2022 Australian Open will have a bit more freedom while crowds are also expected.

“There’s a lot of time between now and when we get going, but at this point in time we’re planning on having a two-week bubble, where the players will be able to move freely between the hotel and the courts,” he said at a Nine Network event.

“They’re protected, they’re kept safe among themselves and safe from the community as well.

“And after those two weeks, they’ll come out and be able to compete in the Australian Open in front of crowds.

“We’re working with the government and health authorities now on the amount of crowds and what the Australian Open will specifically look like.”

Craig Tiley

Latest