SYDNEY: The Australia Open, year's first grand slam, will be held from February 8 to 21, three weeks later than scheduled,the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has confirmed as it released an update of its calendar for 2021 revising the first seven weeks of the season.
Australia Open was earlier scheduled to start from January 18, however the schedule has been updated because of the Covid-19 restrictions.
The ATP release said men's qualifying for the Australian Open would take place in Doha from January 10-13 before players relocated to Melbourne to enter 14-day quarantine.
"The controlled environment quarantine period will enable players to prepare ahead of a 12-team ATP Cup in Melbourne, played alongside the relocated Adelaide International, as well as an additional ATP 250 tournament, all held in Melbourne," ATP said.
A shortened version of the ATP Cup men's team tournament will take place in Melbourne from February 1-5 before the Australian Open begins on February 8.
"The reconfigured calendar for the start of the 2021 season represents a huge collaborative effort across tennis, under challenging circumstances. Together with the support of our tournament and player members, partners, and Tennis Australia, we have been able to adapt and create an exciting start to the season," ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said.
"Health and safety will continue to be paramount as we navigate the challenges ahead, and I want to thank everyone involved for their commitment to finding solutions to launch our 2021 season," he added. IANS