Australian Open 2021 | Tennis stars secure permission to practice in quarantine, says ATP

“We are self-isolating ourselves and hopefully will be healthy soon,” he wrote on Twitter.

Several other men’s professionals have tested positive to COVID-19 this year.

One source with knowledge of the complex discussions around practising in quarantine said the players will still be expected to “strictly adhere” to rules put in place by Tennis Australia and the Victorian government, once such rules are finalised.

The ability for players to practice in quarantine has been one of the most significant aspects of negotiations involving Tennis Australia, the Victorian government and the ATP and WTA tours.

The ATP has notified players that the quarantine period is likely to begin on January 8 but has also advised them not to book any travel yet.

“There are strict current limitations on the number of people allowed entry into Australia. A possible (1) or two (2) week pushback of the Australian Open is still likely,” the note said.

“Final determination on COVID-19 protocols, close contract procedures, and player support teams will be released soon.”

Victoria recorded 28 consecutive days of no new coronavirus cases on Friday, and the government has been focused on holding the tournament and appeasing players but also ensuring the virus does not re-appear after a long winter in lockdown.

Players were told on Friday of the development, while it was also made clear there would be restrictions on how many support staff they could bring with them.

Cancelling the traditional Australian Open qualifiers remains a possibility, as does the tournament beginning on January 25, only one week later than scheduled.

Starting the tournament only one week later instead of two would better appease broadcasters and a host of international tournaments planned for February.

The ATP is expected to outline its calendar for the first quarter of 2021 early next week.

While players know they can practice in quarantine few details have emerged about where they might stay for their 14-day stint in isolation, or about where they would be allowed to practice.

Government sources had hoped a decision on the timing and restrictions around the summer of tennis would be available by Friday however tennis sources said there was still more detail to be worked through, as not even the date of the tournament had been set in stone just yet.

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Australian player John Millman is currently in 14-day isolation and said this week that it would be almost impossible for players to compete in a grand slam after two weeks of no practice.

“You just can’t do a two-week hard lockdown to get ready for an Australian Open. I don’t think any of the international players would do that. Your body is what pays the bills. You are an injury risk, you can’t go from zero to 100 right away, that’s the biggest risk,” Millman said.

“If the government decides they just can’t take that risk, the tournament probably won’t go ahead. That’s how I see it. With a hard lockdown, I just don’t see how the players would buy into that after what they have been exposed to for much of the year and how tennis works if we had to go down that path.”

The Australian Open junior tournament has been cancelled while the ATP Cup – which successfully replaced the Hopman Cup in 2020 – will not take place. Importantly, the events involving wheelchair players will also take place at Melbourne Park.

Lead up ATP and WTA tournaments will likely still take place in between quarantine ending and the grand slam beginning so players can tune up.

Originally, players had expected to be allowed to fly into Australia in early December and complete quarantine but this was knocked on the head by the state government. Victoria’s hotel quarantine program for returned travellers will recommence on 7 December.