The Australian Open happens to be the first Grand Slam of the year. The 2022 edition of the Slam would be played between January 17-30, while vaccinated players are expected to be given some freedom.
The final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open 2021, is already underway. Meanwhile, preparations for the 2022 Slam season are already underway, starting with the Australian Open, to be held between January 17-30.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still in effect, organisers would continue to have some restrictions and preventive measures in place. Meanwhile, the sports Minister of the Victoria state has stated that players who would arrive in the vaccinated condition can expect lesser restrictions than the ones unvaccinated, reports PTI.
Tennis Australia is yet to announce the quarantine measures or vaccination status of the players and the spectators. In the US Open, the United States Tennis Association has mandated that anyone above the age of 12 must produce the certificate of at least the first dose of the vaccination to be eligible to enter the venue.
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The US Open organisers have not mandated that the players need to be vaccinated to play the event. As per reports, 50% of the players taking part in the US Open are currently vaccinated.
Sports Minister Martin Pakula has stated to a Melbourne Radio Station that he was unsure if the players would be allowed in Australia without vaccination. However, he made it clear that the rules would vary for the vaccinated and unvaccinated ones.
He also said that talks would soon be held regarding the same with ATP and WTA while expressing his confidence that the players would be vaccinated before stepping foot in Australia. Meanwhile, he affirmed that the tournament would undoubtedly occur next year, with most of the Victorian population vaccinated, unlike this year, when the competition was held with zero vaccination.
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