The Australian Open are planning a bio-secure bubble for next year’s event confirmed Tennis Australia leader Craig Tiley.
Last year’s event in February took place with a harsh 14 day quarantine which was criticised by some of the players.
There was mice-infested hotels, cold food being served and some players testing positive including Paula Badosa who ended up in a hospital hotel.
However today Craig Tiley said that a quarantine similar to that would not happen but a bio-secure bubble will still be in place, “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,” Tiley told Australian channel Nine Network.
“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.”
There is still some doubts though over the Australian Open as most of Australia is still in Lockdown with the vaccination rates still low.
The likes of Ash Barty, Nick Kyrgios and John Millman won’t be allowed to return to Australia until after the season at earliest.
But Tiley said that he is banking on Australia reaching it’s target of vaccinating 80% of the country by November, “That will certainly help the situation for the event in January,” he said about the situation.
Whatever happens communication with the players and tours will be key as the event looks to be held on time in 2022. The event is due to take place on the 17th-30th of January.